'!!!!l 


itHmmmm 


UC-NRLF 


B    3    in    Tib 


^mmTic , 


^ 


4 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 

MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/farmerspracticalOOnashrich 


A  BOOK    FOH   KVKIIY    FARMER 

t'h  e"" """" 

FAEMER'S  PRACTICAL 

HORSE 

FARRIERY. 

CONTAINING 

PRACTICAL    RULES    ON     BUYING,    BREEDING,    BREAKING,     LAMENESS,    ViaOUS 

HABITS,    MANAGEMENT,    PREVENTION,     SYMPTOMS,     TREATMENT     AND 

CURE  OF  DISEASES.     ALSO,  THE  GREAT  SECRET  OF  TAMING  WILD 

HORSES  ;    HOW  THEY  CAN  BE  FULLY  SUBDUED,  CAUSED 

TO      LIE     DOWN,     STAND     WITHOUT     HOLDING, 

WILL    NOT     BE    FRIGHTENED     AT     ANY 

OBJECT,  FOLLOW  AT  COMMAND, 

<bC.,     &C.,     dIcC. 

TO  WHICH  18  PEEFIXED 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  BREEDS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

WITH  NUMEEOUS  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

COMPILED    BY    E.    NASH. 


PARTICULARLY  INTEXDED  FOR  FARMERS,  AS  A  BOOK  OF  REF- 
ERENCE  ON   ALL   SUBJECTS   CONNECTED   WITH  HORSE 
ECONOilV,  AND  CONTAINING  THE  LARGEST  AMOUNT 
OF  U?EFUL  INFORMATION  AND  RECEIPTS  THAT 
HAS  EVER  YET  BEEN  PUBLISHED. 


AUBURN: 
EPHRAIM    NASH, 

18  5  8. 


^  U 


Kk 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 

and  fifty-seven. 

BY    EPHRAIM   NASH. 

in  the  Clerk'sOfficeof  the  District  Court  of  the  Northern  District  of  New  York. 


PREFACE 


The  title  of  this  work  will  in  some  degree  indicate  our  purpose 
in  presenting  it  to  the  public  ;  a  few  remarks,  howevei-,  may  be  ap- 
propriate. 

The  conviction  that  the  works  on  Horse  Farriery,  at  the  present 
day,  as  a  general  thing,  are  not  written  so  much  to  instruct  and 
benefit  the  horse  owner  and  breeder,  as  the  veterinary  surgeon,  that 
they  confuse  raiher  than  instruct  the  common  reader,  that  they  are 
too  scientific,  technical,  minute  and  elaborate,  to  meet  the  wants 
and  demands  of  our  agriculturists,  who,  from  the  scarcity  of  com- 
petent veterinary  surgeons  and  frequent  impositions,  are  compelled 
to  treat  their  own  horses,  are  among  the  prominent  reasons  that 
*have  induced  us  to  present  these  pages  to  the  farming  community. 
We  do  not  claim  to  have  presented  much  that  is  new,  but  as 
usefulness  rather  than  originality  was  the  object  kept  constantly 
in  view,  we  feel  but  little  regret  on  this  point. 

We  have  consulted  the  best  American  and  English  authorities 
[  on  the  veterinary  art,  and  skillful  practitioners,  the  experience 
.  of  many  intelligent  and  practical  farmers  who  have  communicated 
their  views  and  experience  in  such  papers  as  the  Veterinary  Jour- 
nal, Cultivator,  Agriculturist,  Rural  New  Yorker,  Boston  Culti- 
vator, Vermont  Stock  Grower,  N.  Y.  Tribune,  &c.,  for  years  past, 
and  have  obtained  from  these  many  valuable  prescriptions  and  sug- 
gestions. Availing  ourselves  of  these  sources,  we  have  collected  a 
vast  amount  of  valuable  material  on  the  subject  of  the  work.  This  we 
have  examined,  sifted,  arranged,  digested,  and  reduced,  by  exclud- 
ing words,  retaining  ideas,  facts  and  opinions,  so  as  to  present  the 
substance  and  cream  of  the  whole  in  a  clear,  simple  style,  within 
the  comprehension  of  every  one  of  common  capacity.  We  have 
submitted  the  matter,  previous  to  publishing,  to  one  of  the  most 
noted  stock  breeders  in  the  U.  S. ;  and  the  symptoms  and  treatment* 


M8503S0 


iv  Preface 

of  diseases,  to  one  whose  experience  and  ability  has  eminently 
qualified  him.    To  these  gentlemen  we  are  under  special  obligations. 

This  work  is  not  only  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  farmer,  but 
it  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  person  who  owns  a  horse,  for 
every  one  who  keeps  a  horse  should  not  only  learn  to  keep  him 
in  health,  for  pecuniary  gain,  but  as  a  matter  of  humanity  and 
benevolence. 

"We  have  aimed  to  be  practical  and  definite  on  all  points.  We 
regret  that  we  have  felt  compelled  to  be  so  brief  on  many  im- 
portant matters,  and  indeed  several  articles  have  been  thrown 
out  entirely,  for  the  want  of  room.  If  the  reader  will  reflect 
that  a  large  volume  has  been  written  on  the  horse  foot  alone,  he 
will  easily  conceive  our  confined,  embarrassed,  and  cramped  situ- 
ation ;  having  to  treat  on  so  many  diflTerent  points  and  subjects 
within  the  scope  of  200  pages,  we  have  omitted  illustrations,  rea- 
sons, arguments,  &c.,  and  presented  the  naked  facts.  To  those 
who  may  wish  for  a  more  extended  description  and  treatment  of 
diseases,  we  most  cheerfully  commend  Dr.  Dadd's  Modern  Horse 
Doctor,  or  Youatt  on  the  Horse. 

More  space  is  given  to  the  method  of  training  and  breaking 
horses,  in  view  of  the  interest  that  has  been  elicited  on  the  sub- 
ject, than  would  have  been,  under  other  circumstances. 

The  method  of  treatment  of  Mr.  Davis,  found  in  this  book,  we 
will  guarantee  is  fully  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  of  the  so  called 
Patent  Rights,  and  we  have  our  serious  doubts,  from  all  the  evi- 
dence we  have  been  able  to  gather,  that  there  is  any  Patent  Right, 
Copy  Right,  or  any  other  right  about  them,  but  what  the  public 
have  just  as  good  a  right  to  as  they  have  to  the  President's  Message. 
The  use  that  has  been  made  of  this  so  called  Right,  and  the  manner 
in  which  it  has  been  conducted  of  selling  it  as  a  Patent  Right,  and 
a  little  6  cent  pamphlet  for  SlO,  binding  the  purchaser  under  S300 
bonds  never  to  disclose  it,  and  selling  County  rights  for  $1000, 
and  the  like,  we  think  is  one  of  the  greatest  impositions  that  has 
ever  been  passed  upon  the  American  People. 

Conscious  of  its  imperfection,  but  trusting  that  it  will  in  some 
degree  meet  the  wants  of  the  farmers,  in  adding  to  the  comforts, 
improving  the  condition,  relieving  pain,  removing  disease,  and 
sometimes  saving  the  life  of  the  noble  and  most  useful  animal, 
the  horse,  the  author  now  lays  it  hopefully  before  the  public. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    L 

UI8T0KY,  BREEDS  AND  TAEIETIES  OF  HORSES  IN  THE  TTNITED  STATES. 

Origin  and  value  of  the  horse — The  Arabian  horse— The  Morgan  horse— The  rao« 
horse— The  Canaaian  horse- The  Norman  horse — The  Cleveland  bay— The 
American  trotting  horse — Dray  or  draft  horse  Page  13-28. 

CHAPTER    II. 

BREEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  COLTS. 

Laws  of  breeding — like  begets  like — exceptions — illustrations — object  of  breed- 
ing—breeding— Temperament— Errors  in  breeding— Size— Condition— Exam 
pie— Selections  of  mares— Stallion— Disposition— After  management  of  mares 
—Breeding  fancy  colors— Rearing  and  management  of  colts— Breaking— Cas- 
tration— How  to  tame  wild  horses 28-48. 

CHAPTER    III. 

B.  F.  DATIS'  NEW  METHOD  OF  TAMING   WILD  HOESES. 

Three  fundamental  principlos— How  to  succeed  in  getting  the  colt  from  pasture. 
How  to  stable  a  colt  without  trouble— The  kind  of  halter— Remarks  on  the 
horse— Experiment  with  the  robe— Sense  of  smelling— Powel's  system— To 
govern  horses  of  any  kind— If  of  a  stubborn  disposition— How  to  halter  and 
lead— Side  of  a  broke  horse- Hitch  without  having  him  pull  on  the  halter- 
Kind  of  bit,  how  to  accustom  a  horse  to  it — To  stable  a  colt — To  mount  the 
colt— To  ride  a  colt — To  drive  a  horse  that  is  very  wild  and  has  any  vicious 
habits— On  balk'ing— To  break  a  horse  to  harness— How  to  hitch  a  horse  in  a 
sulky— To  make  a  horse  lie  down— To  make  a  horse  follow  you— To  make  a 
horse  stand  without  holding 48-90. 


vi  Contents. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

GENEEAL  MANAGEMENT,  ETC.,  OF  THE  HOESE. 

Stabling— Air  and  litter— Grooming— Dressing  vicious  horses— Exercise— Food — 
Age — To  save  horses  from  fire — Method  of  administering  medicines — Scalded 
Shorts— Judging  the  character  of  horses  by  their  color— Warrantees— Snow 
bells  on  horses'  feet— To  manage  a  horse  when  fallen  down 90-111. 

CHAPTEE    V. 

THE  VICES  AND  DI8A6EEABLB   OE  BANGEBOUS  HABITS  OF  THE  HOESE. 

Biting — Kicking — Eunning  away — Crib-biting— Wind-sucking  —  Cutting  —  Not 
lying  down— To  prevent  rolling  in  the  stall— Overreaching  the  clinking— Paw- 
tng— Shying— Slipping  the  halter— Tripping— Horses  jumping  fences..  111-121. 

CHAPTEE    VI. 

OPEEATION,  ETC.,  ETC. 

Setons— Bleeding— The  pulse— Clysters— Tracheotomy— Physicking— Docking 
— Nicking— Blaze  or  star— To  spot  a  black  horse  with  black  spots— Description 
of  a  skeleton  of  a  horse — Getting  the  check  of  the  bit  into  the  mouth — Colts 
chewing  halters 121-134. 

CHAPTEE    VII. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  BEAIN,  EBSPIBATOEY  ORGANS  AND  AIE  PASSAGES. 

Staggers— Megrims— Apoplexy— Phrintis  or  inflammation  of  the  brain — Hydro- 
phobia or  madness-^Influenza  or  horse-ail — Spasms  of  the  larynx  and  laryngi- 
tis—Pneumonia or  inflammation  of  the  lungs— Pleurisy— consumption— Stran- 
gles or  horse  distemper  — Bronchitis— Catarrh  — Nasal  gleet  —  Eoaring — 
Common  cough  —  Chronic  cough— Thick  wind— Heaves  or  broken  wind- 
Blistering.  134-155 

CHAPTEE    VIII. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  TJEINAEY  OEGANS,  DIGESTIVE  CAVITY,  AND  EYE. 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys — Inflammation  of  the  bladder — Inflammation  of 
the  stomach  and  bowels — Bots — Colic — Scours  and  constipation  in  young  colts 
—Diarrhoea— Indigestion — Inflammation  of  the  eye— Locked  jaw  or  tetanus — 
Fever— Putrid  fever— Hysteria  in  mares— Slobbering 155-172. 

CHAPTEE    IX 

LAMENESS,  DISEASE  OF  THE  MOUTH,  SKIN,   HOOF,  GENEEALITIES,  &C. 

Spavin— Windgalls-Eingbone— Founder  or  acute  rheumatism— Chronic  found- 
er—Cramp— Splent— Lameness— Elbow  joint  lameness— Toe  crack— Swelled 
legs— Scratches— Poultry  lousiness— Hide  bound— Glanders— Farcy— Poll  evil 
and  Fistula  Withers— List  of  Medicines— Eeceipts  Table  of  Doses.      172-198. 


CHAPTER    I. 


HISTORY,   BREEDS  AND  VARIETIES  OF  HORSES  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES. 


ORIGIN  AND  VALUE  OF  THE  HORSE. 

Tlie  history  of  the  Horse,  intimately  interwoven  as 
it  is  with  that  of  man,  can  hardly  fail  to  interest  the 
most  careless.  From  the  earliest  ages,  he  has  been 
man's  faithful  ally  and  willing  slave.  In  war,  he  not 
only  moves  all  the  machinery  of  the  field  and  camp, 
but  shares  with  his  rider,  all  the  fatigue  and  danger  of 
the  battle.  In  peace,  how  various  and  invaluable  are 
his  services.  Every  branch  of  industry  owes  much  to 
his  patient  toil.  He  plows  the  soil,  sows  the  seed, 
reaps  the  harvest,  and  transports  it  to  market.  He  has 
been  admired,  cherished  and  loved  equally  by  the  most 
enlightened  and  most  barbarous  races  of  man,  and  al- 
most invariably  considered  the  most  useful  and  man- 
ageable of  all  our  domestic  animals. 

The  earliest  record  we  have  of  the  horse  traces  him 
to  Egypt.    He  was  domesticated  in  the  days  of  Moses, 


14  The  Horse  Farrier. 

and  was  not  known  on  any  part  of  the  American  conti- 
nent until  introduced  by  Europeans.  The  wild  Horse 
of  South  America  descended  from  two  stallions  and 
four  mares  which  the  Spanish  adventurers  left  there. 

The  principal  breeds  and  varieties  which  now  pre- 
vail in  the  United  States,  are  the  common  horse,  de- 
scended from  the  common  horses  originally  introduced 
by  the  English  colonists,  and  mixed,  more  or  less,  with 
varieties  of  later  introduction  :  the  Arabian  ;  the  Mor- 
gan ;  the  thorough-bred  or  Race-Horse ;  the  Canadian ; 
the  Norman ;  the  Cleveland  Bay ;  and  the  American 
Trotting-Horse. 

The  mongrel  known  as  the  "  common  horse,"  is  too 
various  in  blood,  and  too  multiform  in  his  characteris- 
tics, to  admit  of  any  particular  description. 

THE  ARABIAN  HOESE. 

This  Horse  deservedly  occupies  the  highest  rank. 
As  late  as  the  seventh  century,  the  Arabs  had  no  horse 
of  value.  The  horses  they  obtained  from  Capadocia, 
and  other  horses  that  were  obtained  from  their  neigh- 
bors, were  preserved  with  so  much  care,  and  so  uni- 
formly propagated  from  the  finest  animals,  that  in  the 
thirteenth  century  they  had  obtained  a  just  and  un- 
rivaled celebrity. 

The  Arabs  divide  their  horses  into  three  classes,  the 
AUec1i%  or  inferior  bred,  which  are  of  little  value ;  the 
Kadiscli%  or  mixed  breed ;  and  the  Kochlani^  or 
thorough-bred,  whose  genealogy,  according  to  the 
Arabian  account,  is  known  for  two  thousand  years. 

The  Arabian  Horse  would  not  be  acknowledged  by 
every  judge  to  possess  a  perfect  form.    His  head,  how- 


The  Arabian  Horse.  15 

ever,  is  inimitable.  This  is  universally  acknowledged 
to  be  unsurpassed  in  any  other  breed.  In  the  formation 
of  his  shoulders,  next  to  that  of  his  head,  the  Arabian 
is  superior  to  any  other  breed.  The  withers  are  high, 
and  the  shoulder-blade  inclines  backward,  and  so  nearly 
adjusted,  that  in  descending  a  hill,  the  point  or  edge 
of  the  hame  never  ruffles  the  skin. 

The  muscles  of  the  thigh  and  fore-arm  are  strikingly 
developed,  and  assure  us  of  his  ability  to  perform  many 
of  the  feats  of  strength  and  endurance  related  of  him. 
The  Arabian  is  as  celebrated  for  his  docility  and  good 
temper  as  for  his  speed  and  courage.  It  is  to  the 
Arabian  that  the  English  are  chiefly  indebted  for  their 
unrivalled  breed  of  horses  for  the  turf  and  chase. 

Latard,  the  explorer  of  Nineveh,  who  is  as  familiar 
with  Arabs  as  he  is  with  antiquities,  gives  some  curious 
details  respecting  the  true  horse  of  the  desert.  Con- 
trary to  the  popular  notion,  the  real  Arabian  is  cele- 
brated less  for  unrivalled  swiftness  than  for  extraordi- 
nary powers  of  endurance.  Only  w^hen  pursued,  does 
e  Bedouin  put  his  mare  to  full  speed.  It  is  the  distance 
they  will  travel,  in  emergency,  the  weight  they  will 
carry,  and  the  comparative  trifle  of  food  they  require, 
which  render  the  Arabian  horses  so  valuable.  Layard 
says  that  he  knew  of  a  celebrated  mare,  which  carried 
two  men  in  chain  armor  beyond  the  reach  of  some 
Aneyza  pursuers.  This  mare  rarely  had  more  than 
twelve  handsful  of  barley  in  twenty-four  hours,  except 
during  the  spring,  when  the  pastures  were  green,  and 
it  is  only  the  mares  of  the  wealthy  Bedouins  that  can 
get  even  this  allowance.  They  are  never  placed  under 
cover  during  the  summer,  nor  protected  from  the  biting 


16  The  Horse  Farrier. 

winds  of  the  desert  in  winter.  The  saddle  is  rarely- 
taken  from  their  backs.  Cleaning  and  grooming  are 
strangers  to  them.  They  sometimes  reach  fifteen 
hands  in  height,  and  never  fall  below  fourteen.  In 
disposition,  they  are  as  docile  as  lambs,  requiring  no 
guide  but  a  halter ;  yet  in  the  flight  or  pursuit  their 
nostrils  become  blood  red,  their  eyes  glitter  with  fire, 
the  neck  is  arched,  and  the  main  and  tail  are  raised  and 
spread  to  the  wind ;  the  whole  animal  becomes  trans- 
formed. Their  value  is  so  great,  that  a  thorough-bred 
mare  is  generally  owned  by  ten,  or  even  more  persons, 
and  one  can  rarely  be  obtauied,  except  by  fraud  and 
excessive  bribery.  A  stallion  may  be  obtained,  though 
at  a  great  price.  The  reason  is,  that  on  account  of  its 
fleetness  and  power  of  endurance,  it  is  invaluable  to  the 
Bedouin,  who,  once  on  his  back,  can  defy  any  pursuer. 
An  American  racer,  or  even  an  English  hunter,  would 
break  down,  in  those  pathless  deserts,  almost  before  an 
Arabian  became  warmed  up  to  its  work.  Layard 
thinks  that  no  Arabian  of  the  best  blood  has  been  seen 
in  England.  If  this  is  so,  we  can  scarcely  suppose  tha{ 
any  have  come  to  America,  but  must  believe  the  so- 
called  Arabians,  given  to  our  government  at  various 
times,  to  be  of  inferior  breeds.  Rarely,  indeed,  are 
the  thorough  breeds  found  beyond  the  desert.  It  will 
be  a  subject  of  regret,  to  those  who  admire  fine  horses, 
to  learn  that  the  Arabian  is  considered  to  be  degener- 
ating ;  the  consequence  of  the  subjugation  of  Arabia, 
and  the  decline  of  the  Bedouin  tribes. 


The  Morgan  Horse. 


17 


GENERAL   GIFFOED. 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 

This  breed  of  American  variety  of  horses  is,  pernaps, 
held  in  higher  estimation,  and  has  obtained  a  greater 
celebrity  than  that  of  any  other  in  the  United  States, 
particularly  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States ;  and, 
we  think,  the  fact  would  sustain  the  assertion,  no  horse 
has  been  so  generally  admired,  and  taken  the  number 
of  first  class  prizes  at  our  State  and  other  Fairs  as  the 
Morgan  family. 

The  original  or  Justin  Morgan  is  universally  admitted 
to  have  been  the  root  of  this  famous  race ;  there  has 
been  some  diverse  accounts  of  his  origin.  The  one 
that  is  now  generally  admitted  to  be  most  authentic  is, 
that  he  originated  near  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  1793  ; 
was  got  by  a  horse  called  "True  Brittain,  or  Beautiful 


18  The  Horse  Farrier. 

Bay."  His  dam  was  of  the  Wild-air  blood,  a  horse 
celebrated  as  a  valuable  stock.  The  original  Justin 
Morgan  is  thus  described  by  Linsley,  in  his  "Premium 
Essay  on  the  Morgan  Horse :"  "He  was  fourteen  hands 
high,  weighed  about  950  lbs.  His  color  was  a  dark 
bay,  with  black  legs,  mane  and  tail.  Head  good,  not 
extremely  small,  but  lean  and  bony;  forehead  broad; 
ears,  small  and  rather  wide  apart ;  eyes,  medium  size, 
dark,  and  prominent,  with  a  spirited  and  pleasant  ex- 
pression ;  his  nostrils,  very  large ;  muzzle,  small ;  lijis, 
close  and  firm ;  back,  short ;  shoulder-blades  and  hip 
bones,  very  long  and  obliqued ;  loins,  exceedingly 
broad  and  muscular.  His  body  is  rather  long,  round 
and  deep,  close  ribbed  up ;  chest,  deep  and  wide  ;  breast, 
broad,  projecting  in  front;  legs,  short,  close-jointed, 
thin,  but  very  wide,  hard,  and  free  from  meat ;  mus- 
cles, remarkably  large  for  his  size.  His  hair  was  short, 
soft  and  glossy  ;  a  little  long  hair  about  the  fetlocks  ; 
feet,  small,  but  well  shaped.  He  was  a  very  fast  walker ; 
in  trotting,  his  gait  is  low  and  smooth,  his  step  short 
and  nervous.  He  was  not  what  is  called,  in  these  days, 
a  fast  horse,  though  it  is  claimed  by  some  that  he  could 
trot  a  mile  in  three  minutes.  His  proud,  bold  and 
fearless  style  of  movement,  his  vigorous,  untiring  ac- 
tion have,  perhaps,  never  been  surpassed.  He  was  per- 
fectly gentle  and  kind  to  handle,  loved  to  be  groomed 
and  caressed,  but  disliked  children  about  him  ;  had  an 
inveterate  hatred  for  dogs ;  if  loose,  always  chased 
them  the  instant  he  saw  them ;  was  an  eager  and  nim- 
ble traveler,  patient  in  bad  spots,  and  celebrated  for 
his  willingness  to  do  his  best,  and  for  his  great  power 


The  Mobgan  Horse.  19 

at  what  is  called  a  *deacl  lift.'  He  died  in  1821,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-nine,  from  the  effects  of  a  kick  from 
another  horse.  Previous  to  which  he  was  perfectly 
sound.  His  appearance  was  remarkably  fresh  and 
youthful.  Age  had  not  quenched  his  spirit,  nor  damp- 
ened the  ardor  of  his  temper.  His  eye  was  still  bright, 
his  step  firm  and  elastic." 

All  the  immediate  descendants  of  this  remarkable 
horse  have  a  striking  resemblance  in  all  his  leading 
characteristics.  Each  exhibit  in  a  high  degree  those 
qualities  that  have  given  such  celebrity  to  their  sire ; 
all  had  the  compact  form,  wide  bony  legs,  great  ener- 
gy, vigorous  health  and  iron  constitution.  The  Mor 
gans  of  the  present  day  possess  the  spirit,  compactness, 
strength  of  constitution,  power  of  endurance,  general 
structure  of  the  body  of  their  illustrous  ancestor  in  an 
eminent  degree. 

There  has  been,  and  are,  doubtless,  more  "fast 
horses"  of  the  Morgan  breed  than  of  any  other  one 
variety  in  the  United  States.  Among  them  may  be 
named  "Fanny  Jenks,"  (who  trotted  100  miles  in  9 
hours  25  minutes;)  "Black  Hawk,"  (who  trotted  5 
miles  in  16  minutes ;)  the  celebrated  "Lady  Suttin," 
(who  trotted  2  miles  in  5  minutes  1 7  seconds ;)  "Blue 
Morgan,"  "Know  Nothing,"  "Flying  Morgan,"  and 
a  score  of  others  that  might  be  named,  all  having  more 
or  less  of  the  Morgan  blood. 

This  breed  sell  at  extravagant  prices.  Linsley  says, 
"The  best  stallions  cannot  be  purchased  for  less  than 
from  1,000  to  $3,000 ;  the  best  geldings  from  200  to 
$400;  and  the  best  mares  from  300  to  $600;  and  horses 


20  The  Horse  Farrier. 

possessing  extra  value,  on  account  of  their  speed,  are 
not  included  in  this  statement. 

The  editor  of  the  Albany  Cultivator,  Louisville 
Journal,  Farmer's  Encyclopedia,  Maine  Farmer,  N".  Y. 
Herald,  R.  L.  Allen,  of  New  York,  various  Committees 
at  Agricultural  Fairs,  and  many  others,  consLsting  of 
men  of  emmence,  and  supposed  to  be  good  judges  of 
horses,  have  spoken  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  Mor- 
gan breed.  But  it  is  no  more  than  just  to  say  there 
are  some,  and,  perhaps  many,  who  do  not  place  the 
value  and  esteem  as  highly  as  expressed  in  the  forego- 
ing sketch.  "  Black  Hawk  Hero,"  (a  portrait  of  which 
is  given  in  the  front  of  this  book,  is  a  fine  specimen  of 
this  breed,)  the  property  of  Mr.  Thomas  Gould,  of  Au- 
rora, Cayuga  Co.,  IST.  Y.  He  was  awarded  the  first 
premium  as  a  foreign  two  year  old  stallion,  at  the  New 
York  State  Fair  in  1853,  also  a  premium  in  1855. 

THE  RAGE-HORSE. 
Mr.  Youatt  says :  "  There  is  much  dispute  with  re- 
gard to  the  origin  of  the  thorough-bred  horse.  By  some 
he  is  traced  th:»'ough  both  sire  and  dam  to  Eastern  pa- 
rentage ;  others  believe  him  to  be  the  native  horse,  im- 
proved and  perfected  by  judicious  crossing  with  the 
Barb,  the  Turk,  or  the  Arabian."  But  it  cannot  admit 
of  a  doubt,  that  the  English  trained  horse  is  more 
beautiful,  and  far  swifter  than  the  justly  famed  horse 
of  the  desert.  He  has  invariably  beaten  every  antag- 
onist on  his  native  soil.  The  racer  is  generally  distin- 
guished by  his  beautiful  Arabian  head ;  his  fine  and 
finely-set-on-neck ;  his  oblique,  lengthened  shoulders ; 
well-bent  hinder  legs ;  his  ample,  muscular  quarters ; 


The  Kace  Horse. 


21 


FLYING     CHILDERS. 


his  flat  legs,  rather  short  from  the  knee  downward,  al- 
though not  always  so  deep  as  they  should  be ;  and  his 
long  and  classic  paster.  The  Darley  Arabian  was  the 
parent  of  our  best  racing  stock.  The  descendants  of 
this  valuable  horse  were  the  Flying  Childers,  and  Bart- 
lett's  Childers,  from  them  descended  another  Childers, 
Blaze,  Snap,  Sampson,  Eclipse,  Consternation,  and  a 
host  of  excellent  horses. 

Eclipse  and  Consternation  have  justly  gained  a  great 
celebrity  in  some  portions  of  this  country.  Of  Con- 
sternation, Mr.  Randall  says  :  "  We  believe  that  it  is 
by  a  judicious  cross  with  the  thorough-hred  horse, 
that  the  greatest  improvement  is  to  be  made  with  a 
class  of  our  common  mares,  in  breeding  animals  -w^th 
style,  speed,  and,  above  all,  bottom^  for  the  carriage, 


22  The  Horse  Farrier. 

the  buggy  and  the  saddle ;  and  because,  we  believe,  on 
the  principle  that  like  produces  liJce^  Consternation 
promises  better  for  such  a  cross  than  any  other  blood 
stallion  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge." 

The  progeny  of  the  race-horse  is  very  numerous.  In 
most  of  the  States  the  majority  of  the  horses  in  ordin- 
ary use  possess  traces  of  racing  blood, 

THE  CANADIAN  HORSE, 

Says  Randall,  "is  found  in  the  Canadian  Provinces, 
and  somewhat  in  the  Northern  United  States.  He  is 
mainly  of  French  descent — though  many,  so  called,  and 
doubtless  some  of  the  fleetest  ones,  are  the  produce  of 
a  cross  between  the  Canadian  and  the  English  thorough- 
bred stallion.  They  are  a  long-lived,  easily  kept,  and 
exceedingly  hardy  race,  making  good  farm  and  draft 
horses,  when  sufiiciently  large.  In  form,  many  of  them 
display,  in  a  marked  manner,  the  characteristics  of  the 
Norman — so,  too,  in  their  general  qualities — but  they 
are  usually  considerably  smaller.  Stallions  of  this  breed 
have,  in  various  instances,  of  late,  been  introduced  in- 
to New  York  and  other  northern  States,  to  cross  with 
our  common  mares.  The  result  has  been  decidedly 
satisfactory,  particularly  in  giving  compactness  and 
vigor  of  constitution,  where  the  dam  does  not  excel  in 
those  particulars. 

A  black  stallion,  imported  from  Canada,  a  few  years 
since,  by  Mr.  John  Legg,  of  Skaneateles,  N.  Y.,  has 
got  several  hundred  colts,  which,  when  broken,  have 
averaged,  in  value,  considerably  above  the  average 
prices  of  horses  in  the  country.     They  are  almost  in- 


The  Norman  Horse.  ^ 

variably  fair  roadsters,  and  excellent  farm-horses.  This 
cross  is  more  and  more  finding  favor  among  our  farm- 
ers. 

THE  NORMAN  HORSE. 
The  origin  of  the  most  esteemed  variety  of  the  Nbr- 
man  horse,  is  said  to  have  been  a  cross  between  the 
Andalusian  stock  of  Spain,  (which  were  derived  from 
a  cross  of  the  Arabian  or  Barb,)  and  the  old  Norman 
draught  horse.  They  are  remarkable  for  their  strength, 
good  wind,  and  great  power  of  endurance.  It  is  said, 
"  with  their  necks  cut  to  the  bone,  they  flinch  not ; 
they  put  forth  all  their  efforts  at  the  voice  of  the  driver, 
or  at  the  dreaded  sound  of  his  whij) ;  they  heep  their 
condition  when  otJier  horses  would  die  of  neglect  and 
hard  treatment.  A  better  cross  for  some  of  our  horses 
of  a  certain  description,  cannot  be  imagined,  if  we  wish 
to  produce,  in  any  reasonable  time,  a  most  invaluable 
race  of  horses  for  the  farm  and  the  road,  than  to  breed 
from  the  full-sized  Norman  horse."  They  are  so  hardy 
that  there  is  but  little  risk  in  raising  them.  They  are 
very  gentle  and  docile,  free  from  vicious  habits,  and 
at  the  same  time,  lively.  They  break-in  without  any 
difficulty.  They  cannot  be  called  a  fast  horse,  though 
there  are  many  smart  ones  among  the  ordinary  road 
horses.  The  postmen  and  stage  proprietors  in  France 
use  them  exclusively.  They  drive  them  before  the 
mail  coaches  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  an  hour,  includ- 
ing stops.  They  are  generally  about  15  hands  high, 
and  weigh  1,100  lbs. 


24  The  Horse  Farrier, 

the  cleveland  bay. 
This  breed  has  been  considerably  spread  in  the  State 
of  New  York.  They  have  been  exhibited  at  our  State 
Fairs.  They  are  of  an  unusual  size,  though  of  a  good 
symmetry  and  respectable  action.  We  have  not  been 
able  to  ascertain  whether  they  spring  from  the  unmixed 
Cleveland  stock  of  England,  which  is  very  scarce  there, 
or  not.  Mr.  Randall  says,  "The  half-bloods,  the  pro- 
duct of  a  cross  with  our  common  mares,  are  liked  by 
many  of  our  farmers.  They  are  said  to  make  strong, 
servicable  farm  beasts,  though  rather  prone  to  sulli- 
ness  of  temper. 

THE  AMERICAN  TROTTING  HORSE. 
These,  in  reality,  do  not  constitute  a  breed,  or  a  dis- 
tinct variety.  Mr.  Randall  says :  "There  is  a  family 
of  superior  trotters,  including  several  the  best  our 
country  has  ever  produced,  the  descendants  of  Abdal- 
lah  and  Messenger,  and  running  back  through  their 
sire  Mambrino,  to  the  thorough-bred  horse,  old  Mes- 
senger. But  many  of  our  best  trotters,  including  the 
extraordinary  animal.  Lady  Suffolk,  have  no  known 
pedigree,  and  some  of  them,  without  doubt,  are  en- 
tirely destitute  of  the  blood  of  the  race-horse.  Lady 
Suffolk  is  by  Engineer,  but  the  blood  of  Engineer  is  un- 
known, (she  is  a  gray  mare,  fifteen  hands  and  two 
inches  high.)  Dutchman  has  no  known  pedigree.  Other 
celebrated  trotters  stand  in  the  same  category,  though 
we  are  inclined  to  think  that  a  decided  majority  of  the 
best,  especially  at  long  distances,  have  a  greater  or  less 
infusion  of  the  blood  of  the  race-horse. 


The  American  Tbottinq  Horse. 


25 


LADY  SUFFOLK. 

The  United  States  has,  undoubtedly,  produced  more 
superior  trotters  than  any  other  country  in  the  world, 
and  in  no  other  country  has  the  speed  of  the  best  Am- 
erican trotters  been  equalled.  The  New  York  'Spirit 
of  the  Times' — the  best  authority  in  our  country  on 
this  and  all  kindred  topics — ^thus  compares  the  English 
and  American  trotters :  '  There  is  no  comparison  what- 
ever between  the  trotting-horses  of  the  two  countries. 
Mr.  Wheelan,  who  took  Rattler  to  England  last  sea- 
son, and  doubly  distanced  mth  ease  every  horse  that 
ventured  to  start  against  him,  as  the  record  shows,  in- 
forms us  that  there  are  twenty  or  more  roadsters  in 
common  use  in  this  city,  that  could  compete  success- 
fully with  the  fastest  trotters  on  the  English  tur£    They 


26  The  Horse  Farrier. 

neither  understand  the  art  of  training,  driving,  or  rid- 
ing, there.'  " 

All  this  is  explained  in  the  same  way  we  account  for 
the  great  number  of  superb  hunters  that  are  admitted 
to  abound  in  England  above  aU  countries.  The  differ- 
ence is  occasioned  by  the  management,  training  and 
attention  to  this  definite  object, 

DEAY    OK   DRAFT   HOESE. 

This  breed  are  generally  small  headed  for  their  size, 
short  necked,  with  thick  shoulders,  standing  rather  up- 
right to  the  coUar,  short  in  the  back,  very  wide  in  the 
breast,  deep  and  round  in  the  body,  with  broad  backs 
and  loins ;  the  quarters  thick,  the  thighs  and  fore  arms 
very  strong,  the  legs  short,  with  round  hoofs.  They 
possess  great  strength,  and  though  somewhat  slow, 
they  are  not  deficient  in  bottom,  and  from  their  great 
weight,  as  well  as  muscular  power,  they  go  through 
draft  work  that  could  be  performed  by  no  other  ani- 
mal. 

From  what  we  have  seen  of  this  class  of  horses,  we 
are  incHned  to  the  opinion  that  they  possess  properties 
that  are  well  calculated  to  improve  the  stock  of  this 
country  for  farming  purposes.  Several  years  ago  a 
grey  horse  called  Columbus^  was  sent  into  Massachu- 
setts by  Gen.  John  Coffin  of  the  British  army — a  gen- 
tleman who,  with  his  brother.  Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin, 
expended  much  money  in  the  purchase  of  the  best  cat- 
tle and  horses  in  England,  which  were  sent  as  presents 
to  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Massachusetts,  their 
native  State.    Columbus  was  kept  several  years  in  the 


The  Draft  Horse.  27 

different  counties  of  Massachusetts,  and  his  progeny- 
were  esteemed  as  the  most  j^owerful  draft  horses  that 
could  be  had. 

The  form  and  size  of  this  horse  indicate  prodigious 
strength,  and  though  a  person  who  was  unacquainted 
with  the  breed  might  suppose  his  motions  were  slug- 
gish, we  are  satisfied  from  having  seen  him  in  harness, 
that  his  natural  walk  is  faster  than  that  of  horses  in 
general,  and  that  he  is  sufficiently  active  for  the  plow 
or  wagon.  They  will  move  off  with  a  load  that  would 
astonish  the  driver  of  a  common  horse.  They  are 
hardy,  and  are  kept  fat  with  only  moderate  feeding. 

The  best  of  the  heavy  Dutch  horses  of  Pennsylvania, 
bear  a  considerable  resemblance  to  the  horses  above 
described,  and  some  of  them  are  excellent  for  draft. 


CHAPTER    II 


BBEEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  COLTS. 


BREEDING. 

That  a  proper  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  breeding,  is 
a  matter  of  primary  and  vast  importance,  is  a  generally- 
admitted  fact,  and  requires  no  argument  to  prove,  as  it 
is  only  by  this  means  we  can  maintain  the  present 
qualities  of  our  improved  breeds,  and  prevent  the  race 
from  degenerating,  and  correct  and  improve  their  im- 
perfections. And  it  is  equally  true  that  there  are  many 
erroneous  views  entertained  and  practiced  by  many  of 
our  Farmers.  No  person  should  attempt  breeding, 
particularly  the  horse,  without  first  making  it  a  matter 
of  investigation,  patient  study,  and  inquiry.  The  first 
axiom  we  would  lay  down,  says  Youatt,  is,  that  like  will 
produce  like,  that  the  progeny  will  inherit  the  general 
or  mingled  quaUties  of  the  parents.  There  are  but  few 
diseases  by  which  either  of  the  parents  are  affected 
that  the  foal  does  not  inherit  or  show  a  predisposition 
to.  Broken  wind,  spavins,  ring-bones,  founders,  bUnd- 
ness,  roaring  and  the  like,  are  transmissible,  there  can 
be  no  question  not  excepting  ill-usage  and  hard  work. 


Like  Begets  Like.  29 

These  blemishes  may  not  appear  in  the  immediate  pro- 
geny, but  will  in  the  next  or  more  distant  generation. 
From  this  arises  the  necessity  of  some  knowledge  of 
both  the  sire  and  the  dam.  The  most  careless  breeders 
have  observed  qualities  appearing  in  their  stock  that 
belonged  to  neither  sire  nor  dam,  but  which  belonged 
to  their  ancestry  further  back ;  such  as  a  vicious 
temper,  some  peculiar  mark,  white  face  or  feet.  Not 
only  are  diseases  inherited  by  the  offspring,  but  the 
form,  spirit,  constitution  and  temper.  *This  maxim, 
however,  that  "  like  begets  like,"  is  only  true  in  part,  as 
there  is  a  constant  tendency  to  change,  arising  from 
difference  in  food.  Change  of  climate,  or  other  physi- 
cal conditions  to  which  they  might  be  exposed,  might 
naturally  be  expected  to  produce  considerable  cor- 
responding modifications  in  the  form,  size,  color,  and 
coating  of  animals  ;  as  it  is  well  known  that  cattle 
generally  become  very  large  and  fat  when  reared  for 
many  generations  on  moist  rich  soils,  where  good 
pasturage  abounds,  but  are  distinguished  by  the  short- 
ness of  their  legs  ;  while  on  drier  situations,  where  the 
herbage  is  sparse,  their  whole  bulk  is  less,  and  their 
limbs  more  muscular  and  strong.  A  country  of  heaths, 
or  of  other  innutritious  plants,  w^ill  not  produce  a  horse 
so  large  nor  so  strong  as  one  of  plentiful  herbage,  as  is 
manifested  between  those  reared  on  bleak  mountains 
and  fertile  plains,  high  latitudes  and  more  temperate 
climes,  sandy  deserts  and  watered  vales.  A  change  of 
situation  in  the  one   case,  after  a  succession  of  gen- 

*D.  J.  Bowne,  ia  Patent  Office  Official  Report,  1864. 


so  The  Horse  Farrieb. 

erations,  not  only  'diminishes  the  size  of  the  animal, 
but  affects  the  character  and  form  of  his  body,  head, 
and  Kmbs.     Thus,  if  a  London  dray  horse  be  conveyed 
to   Arabia,  and  subjected  to  the  same   influences  to 
which  the  native  breed  of  that  country  is  exposed,  in 
the  course  of  some  generations  he  wiU  present  the 
leading  characters  of  the  Arabian  horse.     On  the  con- 
trary, if  the  race  thus  changed  be  conveyed  again  to 
England,  in  the  course  of  several  generations,  it  will 
gradually  acquire  the  properties  it  formerly  possess- 
ed.    This   fact   would    seem  to  prove  that  the   Ara- 
bian horse  cannot  exist  in  perfection   in  any  of  the 
northern  or  western  countries  of  Europe,  and  that  the 
humidity  of  the  climate  and  the  influence   indirectly 
arising  from  that  cause,  are  the  principal  reasons  of  this 
change.     Similar  instances  might  be  given  in  reference 
to  the  changes  which  have  been  observed  in  the  sheep, 
the  goat,  and  the  hog.     The  former,  when  subjected 
to  the  climate  of  the  West  Indies,  from  Thibet,  Spain, 
or  Vermont,  where  their  fleeces  are  fine,  delicate,  and 
soft,  after  a  few  years  are  entirely  covered  with  rough, 
coarse  hair,  resembling  that  of  the  goat. 
...    Breeding  should  be  conducted  with    some   definite 
object  in  view.     There  is  no  greater  error  than   the 
common  remark  of  some  farmers,  of  some  wretched 
under-sized,  ewe-necked,  cat-hammer  wreck  of  a  mare, 
broken-winded,    ring-boned,  and   spavined,    "Oh,  she 
will  do  to  raise  a  colt  out  of!"   She  will  do  !  but  what 
will  the  colt  be  ?    It  will  not  be  worth  the  mare's  grass, 
let  alone  the  price  of  the  stallion's  service.     But  it  is' 
a  good  feature  that  there  is  a  grooving  anxiety  among 
fkrmers  to  raise  valuable  stock.    This  is  attributable  to 


Breeds  in  Horses.  31 

the  fact,  that  it  is  not  only  as  cheap  to  keep  a  good 
horse  as  a  bad  one,  but  in  reality  it  is  much  cheaper. 
The  prime  cost  is  the  only  difference  to  be  considered  ; 
the  cost  of  stable  room,  keep  and  care  is  identical, 
while  the  wear  and  tear  is  mfinitely  less,  in  the  sound, 
able,  useful  animal,  than  in  the  broken  jade.  The  work 
which  can  be  done,  and  the  value  earned  by  the  one, 
is  in  no  possible  relation  to  that  of  the  other.  The 
horse  bought  at  the  age  of  four  years  at  $300,  when  he 
has  attained  the  age  of  eight  is  worth  twice  the  money, 
either  for  work  or  for  sale,  to  the  horse  that  was 
bought  for  a  third  of  that  price,  when  he  has  attained 
the  same  age. 

"What  is  called  hreed  in  horses,  consists  in  the  supe- 
rior organization  of  the  nerv^ous  and  thoracic  organs, 
as  compared  with  the  abdominal ;  the  chest  is  deeper 
and  more  capacious  ;  and  the  brain  and  nerves  are 
more  highly  developed.  More  air  is  respired,  more 
blood  purified,  more  nervous  energy  expended. — 
Whilst  the  heavy  cart-horse  may  be  considered  to 
possess  the  IjTuphatic  temperament,  the  blood  horse 
may  be  regarded  as  the  emblem  of  the  nervous  and 
sanguine  temperament  combined ;  the  latter,  however, 
predominating.  When  the  nervous  temperament  has 
the  ascendance,  the  animal  will  carry  but  little  flesh, 
but  will  go  till  he  drops,  never  seeming  to  tire.  He 
will,  however,  take  too  much  out  of  himself,  become 
thinner,  and  is  what  is  called  a  hot  horse.  Wlien  the 
sanguine  temperament  greatly  j^revails,  the  horse  will 
have  great  muscular  powers,  but  not  much  inclination 
to  put  them  to  the  stretch.    When  the  lymphatic  tern- 


32  The  Horse  Farrier. 

perament  has  superior  influence,  the  animal,  though 
looking  fresh  and  fat,  and  starting  well  at  first,  will 
soon  flag  and  knock  up,  and  will  rather  endure  the 
lash  than  make  an  extra  exertion.  It  is  the  happy 
combination  of  these  three  temperaments  that  make  a 
perfect  horse,  when  severe  exertion  is  demanded.  The 
full  development  of  the  abdominal  organs  is  essential, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  through  the  food  that  both  the  mus- 
cular system  and  the  nervous  energy  is  furnished.  If 
the  digestion  is  weak,  the  other  powers  will  be  in- 
efiiciently  supplied.  The  sanguineous  organs  are  need- 
ed to  furnish  the  muscular  powers,  and  the  nervous  sys- 
tem is  demanded  to  furnish  the  muscles  with  the  re- 
quisite energy  and  capability  of  endurance.  What  is 
called  bottom  in  the  horse,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than 
the  abundant  supply  of  nervous  energy,  the  muscles 
being  at  the  same  time  well  developed. 

There  are  two  errors  commonly  committed  by  per- 
sons selecting  animals  from  which  to  breed.  Some  pay 
too  much  attention  to  pedigree,  and  too  little  to  form, 
spirit,  etc.  The  correct  theory  is,  though  form  and 
character  is  of  primary  importance,  the  blood  should 
never  be  neglected.  The  great  point  to  be  aimed  at 
in  a  horse  for  all  work,  is  the  combination  in  the  same 
animal,  of  maximum  of  speed,  compatible  with  sufli- 
cient  size,  bone,  strength,  and  solid  power,  to  carry 
heavy  weights,  draw  large  loads,  and  to  secure  to  the 
stock  the  probability  of  not  inheriting  deformity  or 
disease  from  either  parent.  Breed  as  much  as  possible 
with  pure  blood,  of  the  right  kind,  and  breed  what  is 
technically  called  up,  not  down,  that  is  to  say,  by  breed- 


Breed  with  Pure  Blood.  33 

ing  the  mare  to  a  male  of  superior,  not  inferior  blood 
to  herself;  except  where  it  is  desired  to  breed  like  to 
like,  as  Morgan  to  Morgan,  for  the  purpose  of  perpet- 
uting  a  pure  stream  of  any  particular  variety  which  is 
needful.  A  half-breed  mare  should  never  be  put  to  a 
half-breed  stallion,  as  in  that  case  the  product  in  nine 
cases  out  of  v^n  degenerates  below  the  dam,  whereas 
if  she  be  bred  to  a  thorough-bred  stallion,  the  product 
will  be  superiv^r.  And  the  error  is,  to  breed  from  mares 
that  have  become  noted  for  their  speed.  Some  persons 
will  pick  up  some  long-legged,  rangy,  broken  down, 
trotting  mare,  which  could  perhaps  trot  her  mile  in 
2.30,  thinking  to  produce  something  very  fine.  Nothing 
can  be  more  ill-judged,  as  in  the  majority  of  instances 
it  is  sure  to  «nd  in  disappointment.  A  mare,  with 
all  the  best  blood  in  her  veins,  if  she  has  not  got  good 
shape  and  good  points,  is  not  fit  for  a  stallion. 

And  the  great  and  common  error  in  breeding,  is  to 
cross  a  compact  dam  with  a  large  sire,  the  object 
being  to  increase  the  size  of  the  ofispring  above  that  of 
the  dam ;  the  result  is  almost  sure  to  end  in  disappoint- 
ment. This  has  been  attempted  in  England,  and  has 
proved  a  failure.  The  rule  deduced  from  experience,  is, 
the  dam  must  be  as  large  or  larger  than  the  sire. — 
This  is  a  historical  fact.  The  history  of  breeding 
shows  that  to  improve  a  breed,  we  must  select  the  best 
formed,  largest  mares,  and  cross  them  with  medium 
sized,  compact,  muscular  stallions. 

Size  is  not  the  measure  of  power.  Some  horses  that 
weisjh  900  lbs.  will  exceed  in  strensfth  and  endurance 
others  of  1,200  lbs.,  or  more  ;  and  of  those  horses  that 
have    distinguished   themselves    as   trotters,   a  large 


34  The  Horse  Farrier. 

majority  have  been  of  medium  size.  Shortness  of  legs 
with  compactness  of  form  is  indispensable  to  great 
endm-ance.  The  size  of  the  mus'cles  of  a  horse,  other 
things  being  equal,  determines  his  j^ower.  In  selecting 
a  stallion,  aim  to  get  one  that  excells  in  the  j)oints  that 
the  mare  is  deficient  in,  and  you  wish  to  avoid  in  the 
offspring.  Let  him  exhibit  courage  and  endurance,  rath- 
er than  sj^eed.  No  one  stallion  is  best  adapted  to  all 
mares  ;  determine,  with  a  matured  judgment,  which 
class  of  animals  your  mare  is  best  calculated  to  produce, 
whether  a  roadster,  coach  horse,  or  draught  animal, 
and  having  determined  this,  use  a  stallion  best  cal- 
culated to  produce  the  thing  reasonably  exj^ected, 
bearing  in  mind  the  rule  that  "  I^ike  will  produce 
like."  Breeding,  to  be  successful,  must  be  a  matter  of 
study.  One  point,  says  Youatt,  is,  absolutely  essential, 
it  is  "  compactness" — as  much  goodness  and  strength 
as  possible,  condensed  into  a  little  sj^ace. 

"Next  to  compactness,  the  inclination  of  the  shoulder 
will  be  regarded.  A  huge  stallion,  with  upright 
shoulders,  never  got  a  capital  hunter  or  hackney. 
From  him  the  breeder  can  obtain  nothing  but  a  cart 
or  dray  horse,  and  that,  perhaps,  spoiled  by  the  op- 
posite form  of  the  mare.  On  the  other  hand,  an  up- 
right shoulder  is  desirable,  if  not  absolutely  necessary, 
when  a  mere  slow  draught-horse  is  required. 

The  condition  of  the  stallion,  is  too  often  over- 
looked by  the  most  of  our  farmers.  By  condition  is  not 
meant  a  high  state  of  fatness,  but  on  the  contrary,  it 
indicates  the  greatest  health  and  strength,  reducing 
all  superfluous  fat,  bringing  the  flesh  into  clear,  hard, 


Condition  of  a  Stallion.  35 

and  powerful  muscles.  Too  many  farmers  are  content 
with  the  form  and  figure  of  a  horse,  without  regard  to 
condition. 

A  remarkable  case  occurj-ed  in  England,  some  years 
since.  George  the  IV.  owned,  and  was  in  the  habit  of 
riding  as  a  hunter,  a  horse  of  unequaled  excellence. 
His  Royal  Iligimess  caused  a  few  of  his  mares  to  be 
bred  to  him  in  the  sprmg,  after  he  had  been  kept  in 
the  highest  condition  as  a  hunter  throughout  the  winter, 
and  tlie  produce, 'on  growing  up,  proved  every  w^ay 
worthy  of  their  sire.  When  His  Royal  Highness  be- 
came seriously  engaged  in  the  cares  of  Government, 
and  therefore  relinquished  the  pleasures  of  the  chase, 
being  desirous  to  perpetuate  the  fine  qualities  of  tliis 
stock,  he  ordered  the  horse  to  be  kept  at  Windsor  for 
public  covering,  provided  the  mares  should  be  of  the 
first  quality ;  and  m  order  to  insure  a  suflScient  number 
of  these,  directed  the  head  gixDom  to  keep  him  exclu- 
sively for  such,  and  to  make  no  charge,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  customary  groom's-fee  of  half  a  guinea 
each.  The  groom,  anxious  to  pocket  as  many  half 
guineas  as  possible,  published  His  Royal  Highness's 
liberality,  and  vaunted  the  qualities  of  the  horse,  in 
order  to  persuade  all  he  could  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  benefit.  The  result  was,  the  horse  being  kept  with- 
out his  accustomed  exercise  and  in  a  state  of  reple- 
tion, and  serving  upwards  of  a  hundred  mares  yearly, 
the  stock,  although  tolerably  promising  in  their  early 
age,  shot  up  ijito  lank,  v/eakly,  awkward,  leggy,  good- 
for-nothmg  creatures,  to  the  entire  ruin  of  the  horse's 
character  as  a  sire — until  some  gentlemen,  aware  of  the 


36  The  Horse  Farrier. 

cause,  took  pains  to  exj^lain  it,  proving  the  correctness 
of  their  statements  by  reference  to  tlie  first  of  the 
horse's  get,  produced  under  a  proper  system  of  breed- 
ing, and  which  were  then  in  their  prime,  and  among 
the  best  horses  in  England. 

*'  In  selecting  a  mare,"  says  Youatt,  "  it  is  perhaps 
more  difficult  to  select  a  good  mare  to  breed  from  tlian  a 
good  horse,  because  she  should  possess  somewhat  op- 
posite qualities.  Her  carcase  should  be  long,  in  order 
to  give  room  for  the  growth  of  the  foBtus,  and  yet  with 
this  there  should  be  comj^actness  of  form  and  shortness 
of  leg.  In  frame,  the  mare  should  be  so  formed  as  to 
be  capable  of  carrying  and  well  nourishing  her  off- 
spring ;  that  is,  she  should  be  what  is  called  '  roomy.' 
There  is  a  formation  of  the  hips  which  is  particularly 
unfit  for  breeding  purposes,  and  yet  which  is  some- 
times carefully  selected,  because  it  is  considered  ele- 
gant ;  this  is  the  level  and  straight  hip,  in  which  the 
tail  is  set  on  very  high,  and  the  end  of  the  haunch  bone 
is  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  projection  of  the  hip  bone. 
Nearly  the  opposite  form  is  the  more  desirable.  She  re- 
quires such  a  shape  and  make  as  is  well  adapted  for  the 
purpose  she  is  intended  for,"  that  is  to  say,  for  pro- 
ducing colts  of  the  style  and  form  she  is  intended  to 
produce.  We  will  add,  that  she  must  have  four  good 
legs  under  her,  and  those  legs  standing  as  a  foundation 
on  four  good,  well  shaped.  lar(/e  feet,  opened-heeled 
and  by  no  means  flat-soled.  That  she  should  have  a 
good,  lean,  bony  head,  small  cased,  broad  fronted,  well 
set  on,  upon  a  high,  well  carved  neck,  thin  at  its 


Selection  of  Mares.  87 

junction  with  the  head ;  high  withers,  thin  shoulders, 
and,  above  all,  long,  sloping  shoulders.  A  straight 
shoulder  is  an  abomination;  it  renders  speed  impos- 
sible, and  gives  a  rigid,  inflexible  motion,  often  pro- 
ducing the  bad  fault  of  stumbling.  She  should  be 
wide-chested  and  deep  in  the  heart  place.  Her 
quarters  should  be  strong,  well  let  down,  long  and 
sickle-shaped  above  the  hocks.  It  is  better  that  she  go 
with  her  hocks  somewhat  too  wide  apart  than  too  near 
together — the  former  point  indicating  power,  the 
latter  weakness,  of  a  bad  kind.  It  has  been  shown  that 
a  breed  mare  may,  nay,  should  be  considerable  longer 
in  the  back  than  one  would  choose  a  working  horse  to 
be,  but  if  she  be  particularly  so,  it  is  desirable  to  put 
her  to  a  particularly  short-backed  and  close-coupled 
horse. 

The  next  thing  to  be  observed  by  the  horse-breeder, 
in  raising  stock  of  any  kind,  after  the  blood  and  form 
of  the  mare  and  the  qualities  of  the  stallion,  is  the 
temper  and  condition  of  the  dam.  The  former,  be- 
cause nothing  is  more  decidedly  transmissible  in  the 
blood  than  temper;  the  second,  because,  unless  she  is 
in  good  health  and  vigor,  it  is  impossible  that  she  can 
produce  vigorous  and  healthy  offspring. 

The  first  time  a  mare  is  to  be  covered,  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  that  the  stallion  should  be  the  best 
that  can  be  procured,  as  instances  have  been  known 
where  the  stallion  having  possessed  some  striking  points, 
the  colts  of  the  mare  have  shown  those  points  for  several 
colts  after,  though  a  different  stallion  was  used. 


38  The  Horse  Farrier. 

Under  no  possible  circumstances  breed  from  a  stal- 
lion which  has  any  affection  of  any  kind  of  the  respi- 
ratory organs,  whether  seated  in  the  lungs  or  in  the 
windpipe,  or  from  one  which  h^s  any  affection  of  the 
eyes,  unless  it  be  the  direct  result  of  an  accident,  such 
as  a  blow  or  a  puncture,  nor  even  then,  if  the  accident, 
having  occurred  to  one  eye,  the  other  has  sympatheti- 
cally followed  suit ;  and,  on  the  other  side,  we  should  say 
on  no  account  breed  from  a  mare  affected  in  either  way, 
unless  she  be  possessed  of  some  excellences  so  extra- 
ordinary and  countervailing,  that  for  the  sake  of  pre- 
serving the  stock  one  would  be  willing  to  run  some 
risk  of  having  a  worthless  animal  for  his  own  use,  in 
the  hope  of  possibly  having  one  free  from  the  dreaded 
defect  and  of  superlative  excellence. 

Previous  to  sending  the  mare  to  the  horse  she  should 
be  got  into  the  most  perfect  state  of  health  and  con- 
dition, by  moderate  exercise,  abundance  of  good,  nutri- 
tous  food  and  warm  stabling.  It  is  not  desirable  that 
she  should  be  in  a  pampered  state  produced  by  hot 
stables  or  extraordinary  clothing,  that  she  should  have 
the  short  fine  coat  or  the  blooming  and  glowing  con- 
dition of  the  skin,  for  which  one  would  look  in  a  race- 
horse about  to  contend  for  a  four  mile  heat — not  that 
she  should  be  in  that  wiry  form  of  sinew  and  steel-like 
hardiness  of  muscle,  which  is  only  the  result  of  train- 
ing. Still  less  desirable  is  it  she  should  be  overloaded 
with  fat,  especially  that  soft  fat  generated  by  artifi: 
cial  feeding. 

The  temper  is  of  great  importance,  by  which  must 


Condition  of  Makeb.  89 

be  nnderstood,  not  that  gentleness  at  grass,  which  may- 
lead  the  breeder's  family  to  pet  the  mare,  but  such  a 
temper  as  will  serve  for  the  purpose  of  the  rider,  and 
will  answer  to  the  stunulus  of  the  voice,  whip  or  spur. 
A  craven  or  a  rogue  is  not  to  be  thought  of  as  the 
mother  of  a  family ;  and  if  a  mare  belong  to  a  breed 
which  is  remarkable  for  refusing  to  answer  to  the  call 
of  the  rider,  she  should  be  consigned  to  any  task 
rather  than  the  stud  farm.  Sulkiness  and  savagenesa 
are  likewise  to  be  avoided,  whether  in  stallion  or  mare. 
From  the  time  of  covering,  to  within  a  few  days  of 
the  expected  period  of  foaling,  the  cart-mare  may  be 
kept  at  moderate  labor,  not  only  without  injury,  but 
with  decided  advantage.  It  will  then  be  prudent  to 
release  her  from  work,  and  keep  her  near  home,  and 
under  the  frequent  inspection  of  some  careful  person. 
When  nearly  half  the  time  of  pregnancy  has  elapsed, 
the  mare  should  have  a  little  better  food.  She  should 
be  allowed  one  or  two  feeds  of  grain  in  the  day.  This 
is  about  the  period  when  they  are  accustomed  to  slink 
their  foals,  or  when  abortion  occurs  :  the  eye  of  the 
owner  should,  therefore,  be  frequently,  upon  them. 
Good  feeding  and  moderate  exercise  will  be  the  best 
preventives  of  this  mishap.  The  mare  that  has  once 
aborted,  is  liable  to  a  repetition  of  the  accident,  and 
therefore  should  never  be  suffered  to  be  with  other 
mares  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  months  :  for  such 
is  the  power  q^  imagination  or  of  sympathy  in  the 
mare,  that  if  one  suffers  abortion,  others  in  the  same 
pasture  will  too  often  share  the  same  fate.     Farmers 


40  The  House  Fahuier. 

wash,  and  paiiit,  and  tar  tlieir  stables,  to  prevent  some 
supposed  infection; — the  infection  lies  in  the  imagin- 
ation. 

When  the  period  of  parturition  is  drawing  near,  she 
should  be  watched  and  shut  up  duruig  the  night  in  a 
safe  yard  or  loose  box. 

if  the  mare,  whether  of  the  pure  or  comraan  breed, 
be  thus  taken  care  of,  and  be  in  good  health  while  in 
foal,  little  danger  will  attend  the  act  of  parturition. 
If  there  is  false  presentation  of  the  foetus,  or  difficulty 
in  producing  it,  it  will  be  better  to  have  recourse  to  a 
well-informed  practitioner,  than  to  injure  the  mother 
by  the  violent  and  injurious  attempts  that  are  often 
made  to  relieve  her. 

The  parturition  being  over,  the  mare  should  be 
turned  mto  some  well-sheltered  pasture,  with  a  hovel 
or  shed  to  run  into  when  she  pleases ;  and  if  she  has 
foaled  early,  and  grass  is  scanty,  she  should  have  a 
couple  of  feeds  of  grain  daily.  The  breeder  may  de- 
pend upon  it,  that  nothuig  is  gained  by  starving  the 
mother  and  stinting  the  foal  at  this  time.  It  is  the 
most  important  period  of  tlie  life  of  the  horse  ;  and  if, 
from  false  economy,  his  growth  is  arrested,  his  puny 
form  and  want  of  endurance  will  ever  afterwards  testi- 
fy the  error  that  has  been  committed.  Tlie  gram 
should  be  given  in  a  trough  on  the  ground,  that  the 
foal  may  partake  of  it  with  the  mother.  When  the 
new  grass  is  plentiful,  the  quantity,  of  corn  may 
gradually  be  diminished. 

The  mare  will  usually  be  found  again  at  heat  at  or 


After-Management  of  Mares.  41 

before  the  expiration  of  a  month  from  the  time  of  foal- 
ing, when,  if  she  is  principally  kept  for  breeding  pur- 
poses, she  may  be  put  again  to  the  horse.  At  the 
same  time,  also,  if  she  is  used  for  agricultural  purposes, 
she  may  go  again  to  work.  The  foal  is  at  hrst  shut  in 
the  stable  during  the  hours  of  work ;  but  as  soon  as  it 
acquires  sufficient  strength  to  toddle  after  the  mare, 
and  especially  when  she  is  at  slow  work,  it  will  be 
better  for  the  foal  and  the  dam  that  they  should  be  to- 
gether. The  work  will  contribute  to  the  health  of  the 
mother ;  the  foal  will  more  frequently  draw  the  milk, 
and  thrive  better,  and  will  be  hardy  and  tractable,  and 
gradually  familiarized  with  the  objects  among  which  it 
is  afterwards  to  live.  While  the  mother,  however,  is 
thus  worked,  she  and  the  foal  should  be  well  fed  ;  and 
two  feeds  of  corn,  at  least,  should  be  added  to  the 
green  food  which  they  get  when  turned  out  after  their 
work,  and  at  night. 

In  foui'  or  six  months,  according  to  the  growth  of 
the  foal,  it  may  be  weaned,  and  the  mother  should  be 
put  to  harder  work,  and  have  drier  food.  One  or  two 
urine-balls,  or  a  physic  ball,  would  be  useful  in  the  milk, 
should  she  be  troublesome  or  pine  after  the  foal. 

Mares  frequently  produce  colts,  at  fourteen  and 
fifteen  years  of  age,  and  sometimes  twenty.  Experience 
has  proved  that  from  six  to  twelve,  is  the  most  valu- 
able part  of  a  mare's  Hfe  for  raising  colts.  They  are  fre. 
quently  incapacitated  by  breeduig  too  young. 


42  The  Horse  Farrier. 

BREEDING   FANCY    COLOKS. 

The  following  is  taken  from  a  correspondent  in  the 
Albany  Cultivator ;  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  theory 
we  cannot  vouch :  "  In  order  to  obtain  a  cream  color- 
ed colt  from  a  bay  horse  out  of  a  bay  mare,  I  tried  the 
following  exj^eriment,  which  proved  entirely  success- 
ful :  a  cream  stud  was  first  led  out  and  used  to  tease 
the  mare.  After  putting  blinds  on  the  mare,  the  cream 
was  taken  out  of  the  way,  and  the  bay  horse  used  to 
cover  the  mare,  and  not  seen  by  her,  but  immediately 
returned  to  the  stable,  and  the  cream  colored  horse 
led  right  in  front  of  her,  and  exposed  to  her  view  for 
some  time."  This  may  be  attributable  to  the  nervous 
influence  of  the  dam,  or  what  is  called  the  influence  of 
the  imagination  of  the  dam  on  the  faetus.  It  may 
have  been  something  akin  to  this,  by  the  influence  of 
which,  through  the  medium  of  peeled  rods,  Jacob 
caused  the  cattle  to  be  born  ringed  streaked  and  spot 
ted. 

REARING   AND    MANAGEMENT   OP   COLTS. 

Colts  should  be  taken  from  the  dam  when  about  six 
months  old,  if  in  a  good  condition,  and  shut  up  in  a 
house  loose,  or  in  a  small  yard,  (if  the  yard  is  largo 
they  are  likely  to  run  themselves  poor,)  with  a  fence 
that  they  cannot  leap.  It  is  at  this  time  they  usually 
acquire  the  habit  of  leaping  which  follows  them  through 
Hfe.  They  should  be  kept  out  of  sight  and  hearing  of 
the  dam,  as  much  as  possible.  They  may  be  allowed  to 
re-join  each  other  once  a  day,  for  a  short  time,  in  or- 


Management  of  Colts.  43 

der  that  the  foal  may  empty  the  udder,  and  not  be 
suddenly  deprived  of  its  natural  food. 

They  should  be  fed  with  oat  meal  and  sweet  apples 
sliced ;  about  two  pints  of  the  former,  and  two  quarts 
of  the  Latter,  three  times  a  day,  with  a  sufficiency  of 
good  timothy  hay.  They  should  eat  out  of  a  manger 
about  as  high  as  they  naturally  hold  their  heads — a 
stable  with  earth  foundation,  kept  dry  with  straw, — 
chaff,  or  leaves  is  preferable — if  on  a  stable  floor,  their 
dung  should  remain  wdth  occasionally  leveling  off,  and 
provided  with  linter — they  should  be  let  out  daily  for 
exe.cise,  and  should  not  be  tied  in  the  stable.  Con- 
tinue this  feed  through  the  winter.  If  fed  oats,  they 
should  be  soaked. 

There  is  no  period  which  is  of  more  importance 
than  the  first  winter.  We  frequently  see  very  prom- 
ising colts  make  poor  horses  from  want  of  proper  man- 
agement when  young.  They  should  on  no  account  be 
allowed  to  get  poor  while  growing,  unless  it  be  on 
grass  when  three  years  old,  for  a  short  time  this  is 
thought  by  some  to  be  beneficial.  No  investment  that 
the  farmer  can  make  will  pay  better  than  keep- 
ing colts  in  a  good  condition.  On  the  other  hand  they 
should  not  be  too  fat,  nor  forced  to  maturity  too  soon, 
or  you  may  give  them  a  kind  of  hot-bed  growth. 

BREAKING. 

As  this  subject  is  one  of  ^4tal  importance,  and  is  too 
little  understood,  and  should  receive  more  attention 
Tom  the  majority  of  breeders  of  horses,  we  venture 


44  The  Horse  Farrier. 

a  few  remarks  in  addition  to  Mr.  Davis'  method.  The 
training  of  colts  should .  commence  at  an  early  age. 
As  they  advance  towards  matmity  they  become  more 
fixed  in  their  habits,  are  more  resolute  in  their  temper, 
less  able  to  be  taught,  and  are  able  to  offer  greater 
resistance,  and  there  is  less  danger  of  their  injuring 
themselves  or  their  trainer,  by  their  efforts  to  free 
themselves  from  restraint.  The  training  of  a  colt  may 
commence  before  they  are.  a  month  old,  by  handling, 
caressing,  currying,  and  making  a  pet  of  them,  tak- 
ing care  to  touch  them  only  in  such  places  as  are 
agreeable  to  them,  such  as  the  back,  jowls,  and  the  un- 
der side  of  the  neck,  taking  care  to  avoid  the  ears. 
A  halter  may  be  put  on  when  three  months  old,  one 
that  will  be  impossible  for  them  to  break.  Fasten  it  to 
the  collar  of  the  mare,  and  teach  them  to  follow  the 
mare  thus  early,  being  careful  that  they  do  not  hang 
back  on  the  halter.  The  habit  once  confirmed,  it  wiU 
be  difficult  to  break  them  of  it.  Let  perfect  kindness 
characterise  all  your  first  efforts — reward  every  act  of 
obedience,  and  bring  them  under  perfect  subjection. 

Of  all  the  vicious  habits  which  are  found  in  horses, 
we  believe  nine-tenths  are  owing  to  unkind  treatment, 
harsh  usage,  and  improper  management. 

A  colt  may  be  broken  to  do  very  light  work  in  har- 
ness at  two  years  old,  but  should  not  be  backed,  ex- 
cept by  a  small  boy,  until  three,  and  a  light  man  until 
four  years  old.  When  he  becomes  accustomed  to  the 
reins,  a  person  may  take  hold  of  the  traces  and  occas- 
ionally pull  on  them,  teaching  the  colt  to  keep  steadily 


Breaking  of  Colts.  45 

along,  whether  he  feels  any  draught  on  his  shoulders 
or  not.  When  accustomed  to  this,  he  can  be  put  in  a 
sulkey,  or  beside  another  horse.  See  that  every  part 
of  the  harness  is  strong  and  perfect.  All  that  now  re. 
mains  is  to  teach  him  in  his  paces,  and  this  is  of  much 
importance,  as  on  the  perfection  of  these  depends  his 
usefulness  and  value,  and  no  pace  is  of  more  impor- 
tance than  the  walk.  He  should  be  thoroughly  drilled 
in  this  before  any  attempt  is  made  to  push  him  to  a 
trot.  Keep  every  pace  clear  and  distinct  from  the 
other. 

When  walking,  he  should  not  be  allowed  to 
trot  a  few  stej^s  and  then  commence  his  walk  again. 
When  trotting,  as  in  walking,  keep  him  steadily  at  his 
pace,  and  not  allow  him  to  slacken  into  a  walk  for  a 
step  or  two.  If  you  wish  to  make  him  a  fast  trotter, 
occasionally  push  him  to  his  extreme  speed,  for  a  few 
moments  at  a  time,  and  then  reward  him  with  kind 
and  soothing  words. 

CASTEATION". 

Youatt  says  of  castration :  "  The  period  at  which 
this  operation  may  be  best  performed  depends  much 
on  the  breed  and  form  of  the  colt,  and  the  pm-pose  for 
which  he  is  destined.  For  the  common  agricultural 
horse  the  age  of  four  or  five  months  will  be  the  most 
proper  time,  or,  at  least,  before  he  is  weaned.  Few 
horses  are  lost  when  cut  at  that  age.  Care,  however, 
should  be  taken  that  the  weather  is  not  too  hot,  nor 
the  flies  too  numerous. 


46  The  Horse  Farrieb. 

"  If  the  horse  is  designed  either  for  the  carriage^  oi 
for  heavy  draught,  the  farmer  should  not  think  of  cas- 
trating him  until  he  is  at  least  a  twelvemonth  old ;  and, 
even  then,  the  colt  should  be  carefully  examined.  If 
he  is  thin  and  spare  about  the  neck  and  shoulders,  and 
low  in  the  withers,  he  will  materially  improve  by  re- 
maining uncut  another  six  months  j  but  if  his  fore- 
quarters  are  fairly  developed  at  the  age  of  twelve 
months,  the  operation  should  not  be  delayed,  lest  he 
become  heavy  and  gross  before,  and  perhaps  has  be- 
gun too  decidedly  to  have  a  will  of  his  own.  No 
specific  age,  then,  can  be  fixed;  but  the  castration 
should  be  performed  rather  late  in  the  spring  or  early 
in  the  autumn,  when  the  air  is  temperate,  and  particu- 
larly when  the  weather  is  dry. 

"  N'o  preparation  is  necessary  for  the  sucking  colt, 
but  it  may  be  prudent  to  bleed  and  to  physic  one  of 
more  advanced  age.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  no  after 
treatment  will  be  necessary,  except  that  the  animal 
should  be  sheltered  from  intense  heat,  and  more  par- 
ticularly from  wet.  In  temperate  weather,  he  will  do 
much  better  running  in  the  field,  than  nursed  in  a  close 
and  hot  stable.  The  moderate  exercise  that  he  will 
take  in  grazing  will  be  preferable  to  perfect  inaction. 

"The  old  method  of  opening  the  scrotum  (testicle  bag) 
on  either  side,  and  cutting  off  the  testicles,  and  pre- 
venting bleeding  by  a  temporary  compression  of  the 
vessels,  while  they  are  seared  with  a  hot  iron,  must 
not,  perhaps,  be  abandoned ;  but  there  is  no  necessity 
of  that  extra  pain,  when  the  spermatic  cord  (the  blood 


Castration.  47 

vessels  and  the  nerve)  is  compressed  between  two 
pieces  of  wood  as  tightly  as  in  a  vice,  and  there  left 
until  the  following  day,  or  until  the  testicle  drops  off. 
The  practice  of  twitching^  exposes  the  animal  to  much 
unnecessary  pain,  and  is  accompanied  with  consider- 
able danger. 

"  Another  method  of  castration  is  by  Torsion.  An 
incision  is  made  into  the  scrotum,  and  the  vas  diferens 
is  exposed  and  divided.  The  artery  is  then  seized  by 
a  pair  of  forceps,  contrived  for  the  purpose,  and  twisted 
six  or  seven  times  round.  It  retracts  without  untwist- 
ing the  coils,  and  bleeding  ceases.  The  most  painful 
part  of  the  operation — the  operation  of  the  firing-iron 
or  the  clams — is  avoided,  and  the  wound  readily  heals." 

All  the  pain  and  severe  struggling  may  be  prevented 
by  the  use  of  chloroform.  "With  this  assistance  the  whole 
performance  can  be  accomplished  in  several  minutes.  It 
should  be  used  mth  care. 

HOW    TO   TAME   WILD   HOESES. 

The  person  of  whom  I  obtained  this  receipt,  paid 
Perry  Plancher,  the  Arabian  Horse  tamer,  $20  for  it, 
and  has  been  sellmg  it  through  the  country  for  |1,00. 
We  have  no  faith  in  it.  Take  the  warts  from  the  legs 
dry  and  powder  them,  blow  up  his  nose,  then  take  a 
few  drops  of  the  oil  of  arodium  on  your  hand,  and  rub 
on  his  nose. 


CHAPTER    III. 


B.  F.  DAVIS'  NEW  METHOD  OF  TAMING  WILD  HORSES. 


THREE  FUNDAMENTAL  PRINCIPLES. 

FiEST. — That  he  is  so  constituted  by  nature  that  he 
will  not  offer  resistance  .to  any  demand  made  of  him, 
which  he  fully  comprehends,  if  made  in  any  way  con- 
sistent with  the  laws  of  his  nature. 

Second. — That  he  has  no  consciousness  of  his  strength 
beyond  his  experience,  and  can  be  handled  according 
to  our  will  without  force. 

Third. — That  we  can,  in  compliance  with  the  laws 
of  his  nature,  by  which  he  examines  all  things  new  to 
him,  take  any  object,  however  frightful,  around,  over 
or  on  him,  that  does  not  inflict  pain,  without  causing 
him  to  fear. 

To  take  these  assertions  in  order,  I  will  give  you 

Firsts  some  of  the  reasons  why  I  think  he  is  natur- 
ally obedient,  and  will  not  offer  resistance  to  anything 
fully  comprehended.  The  horse,  though  possessed  of 
some  faculties  superior  to  man's,  being  deficient  in 
reasoning  powers,  has  no  knowledge  of  right  or  wrong, 
of  free  will  and  independent  government,  and  knows 


First  Principles.  49 

not  of  any  imposition  practiced  upon  him,  however 
unreasonable  these  impositions  may  be.  Consequently 
he  cannot  come  to  any  decision  what  he  should  or 
should  not  do,  because  he  has  not  the  reasoning  facul- 
ties of  man  to  argue  the  justice  of  the  thing  demanded 
of  him.  If  he  had,  taking  into  consideration  his  super- 
ior strength,  he  would  be  useless  to  man  as  a  servant. 
Give  him  mi7id  in  proportion  to  his  strength,  and  he 
will  demand  of  us  the  green  field  for  his  inheritance, 
where  he  will  roam  at  leisure,  denying  the  right  of 
servitude  at  all.  God  has  wisely  formed  his  nature  so 
that  it  can  be  operated  upon  by  the  knowledge  of  man 
according  to  the  dictates  of  his  will,  and  he  might  well 
be  termed  an  unconscious,  submissive  servant.  This 
truth  we  can  see  verified  in  every  day's  experience  by 
the  abuses  practiced  upon  him.  Any  one  who  chooses 
to  be  so  cruel,  can  moimt  the  noble  steed  and  run  him 
till  he  drops  with  fatigue,  or,  as  is  often  the  case  with  the 
more  spirited,  falls  dead  beneath  the  rider.  If  he  had 
power  to  reason,  would  he  not  vault  and  pitch  his 
rider,  rather  than  to  sufier  him  to  run  him  to  death  ? 
Or  would  he  condescend  to  carry  at  all  the  vain  im- 
postor, who,  with  but  equal  intellect,  was  trying  to 
impose  on  his  equal  rights  and  equally  independent 
spirit  ?  But,  happily  for  us,  he  has  no  consciousness 
of  imposition,  no  thought  of  disobedience,  except  by 
impulse  caused  by  the  violation  of  the  law  of  his  na- 
ture :  consequently,  when  disobedient,  it  is  the  fault 
of  man. 

Then  we  can  but  come  to  the  conclusion  that,  if  a 
horse  is  not  taken  in  a  way  at  Variance  with  the  laws 


so  The  Hqkse  Farrier. 

of  his  nature,  he  mil  do  anj^thing  that  he  fully  com- 
prehends without  making  any  offer  of  resistance. 

/Second — The  fact  of  the  horse  being  unconscious  of 
the  amount  of  his  strength,  can  be  proven  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  any  one.  For  instance,  such  remarks  as 
these  are  common,  and  perhaps  famiUar  to  your  re- 
collection. One  person  says  to  another,  "  If  that  wild 
horse  there  was  conscious  of  the  amount  of  his  strength, 
his  owner  would  have  no  business  with  him  in  that 
vehicle — such  light  reins  and  harness,  too :  if  he  knew, 
he  could  snap  them  asunder  in  a  minute,  and  be  as 
free  as  the  air  we  breathe  ; "  and  "  that  horse  yonder, 
that  is  pawing  and  fretting  to  follow  the  company  that 
is  fast  leaving  him,  if  he  knew  his  strength,  he  would 
not  remaiQ  long  fastened  to  that  hitching-post,  so  much 
against  his  will,  by  a  light  rein,  that  would  no  more 
resist  his  powerful  weight  and  strength,  than  a  cotton 
thread  would  bind  a  strong  man." 

Third — He  will  allow  any  object,  however  frightful 
in  appearance,  to  come  around,  over  or  on  him,  that 
does  not  inflict  pain. 

We  know,  from  a  natural  course  of  reasoning,  that 
there  has  never  been  an  effect  without  a  cause :  and  we 
infer  from  this  that  there  can  be  no  action,  either  in 
animate  or  inanimate  matter,  without  there  first  being 
some  cause  to  produce  it.  And  from  this  self-evident 
fact,  we  know  there  is  some  cause  for  every  impulse 
or  movement,  of  either  mind  or  matter.  Then,  accord- 
ing to  this  theory,  there  must  be  some  cause  before 
fear  can  exist ;  and  if  fear  exists  from  the  effect  of  im- 
agination, and  not  from  the  infliction  of  real  pain,  it 
cannot  be  removed  by  complying  with  those  laws  of 


Third   Principles.  61 

nature  by  which  the  horse  examines  an  object,  and 
determines  upon  its  innocence  or  harm. 

A  log  or  stump  by  the  road-side  may  be,  in  the  im- 
agination of  the  horse,  some  great  beast  about  to 
pounce  upon  him ;  but  after  you  take  him  up  to  it,  and 
let  him  stand  by  it  a  Httle  while,  and  touch  it  with  his 
nose,  and  go  through  his  process  of  examination,  he 
will  not  care  anything  more  about  it.  And  the  same 
principle  and  process  will  have  the  same  efi'ect  with 
any  other  object,  however  frightful  in  appearance,  in 
which  there  is  no  harm.  Take  a  boy  that  has  been 
"frightened  with  a  false  face,  or  any  other  object  that 
he  could  not  comprehend  at  once,  but  let  him  take  that 
face  or  object  in  his  hands,  and  examine  it,  and  he  will 
not  care  anything  more  about  it.  This  is  a  demonstra- 
tion of  the  same  principle.  i^" 

"With  tliis  introduction  to  the  principles  of  my  the- 
ory, I  shall  next  attempt  to  teach  you  how  to  put  it 
into  practice,  and  whatever  instructions  may  follow, 
you  can  rely  on  as  having  been  proven  practically  by 
my  own  experiments.  And  knowing  from  experience 
just  what  obstacles  I  have  met  mth  in  handUng  bad 
horses,  I  shall  try  to  anticipate  them  for  you,  and  as- 
sist you  in  surmounting  them,  by  commencing  with 
the  first  steps  to  be  taken  with  the  colt,  and  accom- 
pany you  through  the  whole  task  of  breaking. 

HOW  TO  SUCCEED  IN  GETTING  THE  COLT  FEOM  PASTURE. 

Go  to  the  pasture,  and  walk  around  tno  whole  herd 
quietly,  and  at  such  a  distance  as  not  to  cause  them  to 
scare  and  run.  Then  approach  them  very  slowly,  and 
if  they  stick  up  their  heads,  and  seem  to  be  fiighteued, 


62  The  Horse  Faeriee. 

liold  on  until  they  become  quiet,  so  as  not  to  make 
them  run  before  you  are  close  enough  to  drive  them 
in  the  direction  you  want  them  to  go.  And  when  you 
begin  to  drive,  do  not  flourish  your  arms,  or  halloo, 
but  gently  follow  them  off,  leaving  the  direction  free 
for  them  that  you  Avish  them  to  take.  Thus  taking 
advantage  of  theu*  ignorance,  you  will  be  able  to  get 
them  in  the  pound  as  easily  as  the  hunter  drives  the 
quails  into  his  net.  For,  if  they  have  always  run  in 
the  pasture  uncared  for,  (as  many  horses  do  in  prairie 
countries,  and  on  large  plantations,)  there  is  no  reason 
why  they  should  not  be  as  wild  as  the  sportsman's 
birds,  and  require  the  same  gentle  treatment,  if  you 
want  to  get  them  without  trouble ;  for  the  horse,  in 
his  natural  state,  is  as  wild  as  any  of  the  undomesti- 
cated  animals,  though  more  easily  tamed  than  most  of 
them. 

HOW  TO   STABLE   A   COLT  WITHOITT  TROUBLE. 

The  next  step  will  be,  to  get  the  horse  into  a  stable 
or  shed.  This  should  be  done  as  quietly  as  possible, 
SO  as  not  to  excite  any  suspicion  in  the  horse  of  any 
danger  befaUing  him.  The  best  way  to  do  this  is  to 
lead  a  gentle  horse  into  the  stable  first,  and  Jiitch  him; 
then  quietly  walk  around  the  colt,  and  let  him  go  in 
of  his  own  accord.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  get  men 
who  have  never  practiced  on  this  prmciple,  to  go  slow 
and  considerate  enough  about  it.  They  do  not  know 
that,  in  handling  a  wild  horse,  above  all  other  things 
is  that  good  old  adage  true,  "  haste  makes  waste ;" 
that  is,  waste  of  time,  for  the  gain  of  trouble  and  per- 
plexity. 


Stabling  Colts.  53 

One  wrong  move  may  frighten  your  horse,  and 
make  liim  think  it  necessary  to  escape  at  all  hazards 
for  the  safety  of  his  life,  and  thus  make  a  two  hours' 
TV'ork  of  a  ten  minutes'  job  ;  and  this  would  be  all  your 
fault,  and  entirely  unnecessary;  for  he  will  not  run 
unless  you  run  after  him,  and  that  would  not  be  good 
policy,  unless  you  knew  that  you  could  outrun  him ; 
for  you  will  have  to  let  him  stop  of  his  own  accord  af- 
ter all.  But  he  will  not  try  to  break  away,  unless  you 
attempt  to  force  him  into  measures.  If  he  does  not 
see  the  way  at  once,  and  is  a  little  fretful  about  going 
in,  do  not  undertake  to  drive  him,  but  give  him  a  little 
less  room  outside,  by  gently  closing  in  around  him. 
Do  not  raise  your  arms,  but  let  them  hang  at  your 
side ;  for  you  might  as  well  raise  a  club.  If  he  at- 
tempts to  turn  back,  walk  before  him,  but  do  not  run ; 
and  if  he  gets  past  you,  encircle  him  again  m  the  same 
quiet  manner,  and  he  will  soon  find  that  you  are  not 
going  to  hurt  him ;  and  then  you  can  walk  so  close 
around  him  that  he  will  go  into  the  stable  for  more 
room,  and  to  get  farther  from  you.  As  soon  as  he  is 
in,  remove  the  quiet  horse  and  shut  the  door.  This 
will  be  his  first  notion  of  confinement — not  knowing 
how  he  got  in  such  a  place,  nor  how  he  got  out  of  it. 
That  he  may  take  it  as  quietly  as  possible,  see  that  the 
stable  is  entirely  free  from  dogs,  chickens,  or  anything 
that  would  annoy  huu ;  then  give  him  a  few  ears  of 
corn,  and  let  him.  remain  alone  fifteen  or  twenty  min- 
utes, until  he  has  examined  his  apartment,  and  has  be- 
come reconciled  to  his  confinement. 


64  The  Horse  Farrier, 

the  kixd  of  halter. 

Always  use  a  leather  halter,  and  be  sure  to  have  it 
made  so  that  it  will  not  draw  tight  around  his  nose, 
if  he  pulls  on  it.  It  should  be  of  the  right  size  to  fit 
his  head  easily  and  nicely,  so  that  the  nose-band  will 
not  be  too  tight  or  too  low.  Never  put  a  rope  halter 
on  an  unbroken  colt,  under  any  circumstances  what- 
ever. They  have  caused  more  horses  to  hurt  or  kill 
themselves,  than  would  pay  for  twice  the  cost  of  all 
leather  halters  that  ever  have  been  needed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  haltering  colts.  It  is  almost  impossible  to 
break  a  colt  that  is  very  wild  with  a  rope  halter,  with- 
out having  him  pull,  rear,  and  throw  himself,  and  thus 
endanger  his  life ;  and  I  will  tell  you  why.  It  is  just 
as  natural  for  a  horse  to  try  to  get  his  head  out  of 
anything  that  hurts  it,  or  feels  unpleasant,  as  it  would 
be  for  you  to  try  to  get  your  hand  out  of  a  fire.  The 
cords  of  the  rope  are  hard  and  cutting ;  this  makes 
him  raise  his  head  and  draw  on  it,  a  slip-noose,  (the 
way  the  halters  are  always  made,)  tightens,  and  pinches 
his  nose,  and  then  he  will  struggle  for  life,  until,  per- 
chance, he  throws  himself;  and  who  would  have  his 
horse  throw  himself,  and  run  the  risk  of  breaking  his 
neck,  rather  than  pay  the  price  of  a  leather  halter  ? 
But  this  is  not  the  worst.  A  horse  that  has  once 
j^uUed  on  his  halter,  can  never  be  as  well  broken  as 
one  that  has  never  pulled  at  all. 

REMARKS    ON  THE   HORSE. 

But  before  we  attempt  to  do  anything  more  with  the 
colt,  I  will  give  you  some  of  the  characteristics  of  his 
nature,  that  you  may  better  understand  his  motions. 


Experiments  with  the  Robe.  65 

Every  one  that  has  ever  paid  any  attention  to  the 
horse,  has  noticed  his  natui-al  inclination  to  smell  of 
everything  which  to  hiin  looks  new  and  frightful.  This 
is  their  strange  mode  of  examining  everything.  And, 
when  they  are  frightened  at  anything,  though  they 
look  at  it  sharply,  they  seem  to  have  no  confidence  in 
this  optical  examination  alone,  but  must  touch  it  with 
the  nose  before  they  are  entirely  satisfied ;  and  as  soon 
as  this  is  done,  all  is  right. 

EXPERIMENT   WITH   THE   KOBE, 

If  you  want  to  satisfy  yourself  of  this  characteristic 
of  the  horse,  and  learn  something  of  importance  con- 
cerning the  peculiarities  of  his  nature,  etc.,  turn  him 
into  the  barnyard,  or  a  large  stable  will  do.  And  then 
gather  up  something  that  you  know  will  frighten  him ; 
a  red  blanket,  buffalo  robe,  or  something  of  that  kind. 
Hold  it  up  so  that  he  can  see  it,  he  will  stick  up  his 
head  and  snort.  Then  throw  it  down  somewhere  in 
th6  centre  of  the  yard  or  barn,  and  walk  off  to  one  side. 
Watch  his  motions,  and  study  his  nature.  If  he  is 
frightened  at  the  object,  he  will  not  rest  until  he  has 
touched  it  with  his  nose.  You  will  see  him  begin  to 
walk  around  the  robe  and  snort,  all  the  time  getting  a 
little  closer,  as  if  drawn  up  by  some  magic  spell,  until 
he  finally  gets  within  reach  of  it.  He  will  then  very 
cautiously  stretch  out  his  neck  as  far  as  he  can  reach, 
nearly  touching  it  with  his  nose,  as  though  he  thought 
it  was  ready  to  fly  at  him.  But  after  he  has  repeated 
these  touches  a  few  times,  for  the  first,  (though  he  has 
been  looking  at  it  aU  the  time,)  he  seems  to  have  an 
i^ea  of  what  it  is.    But  now  he  has  found,  by  the  sense 


56  The  Horse  Faiseiee. 

of  feeling,  that  it  is  nothing  that  will  do  him  any  harm, 
and  he  is  ready  to  play  mth  it. 

Yet  the  horse  is  never  so  well  satisfied  when  he  is 
about  anything  that  has  frightened  him,  as  when  he  is 
standing  with  his  nose  to  it.  And  in  nine  cases  out  of 
ten,  you  will  see  some  of  that  wild  look  about  him 
again,  as  he  turns  to  walk  irom  it.  And  you  will 
probably  see  [him  looking  back  very  suspiciously  as  he 
walks  away,  as  though  he  thought  it  might  come  after 
him  yet.  And  in  all  probability,  he  will  have  to  go 
back  and  make  another  examination  before  he  is  satis- 
fied. But  he  will  familiarize  himself  with  it,  and  if  he 
should  run  in  that  yard  a  few  days,  the  robe  that  fright- 
ened him  so  at  first,  will  be  no  more  to  him  than  a 
familiar  stump. 

SFPPOSITIONS    ON  THE   SEiN^SE   OF   SMELLING. 

We  might  very  naturally  suppose,  from  the  fact  of 
the  horse's  applying  his  nose  to  everything  new  to 
him,  that  he  always  does  so  for  the  purpose  of  smelling 
these  objects.  But  I  beheve  that  it  is  as  much  or  more 
for  the  purpose  of  feeling,  and  that  he  makes  use  of 
his  nose,  or  muzzle,  (as  it  is  sometimes  called,)  as  we 
would  our  hands ;  because  it  is  the  only  organ  by  which 
he  car^  touch  or  feel  anything  with  much  susceptibility. 

I  believe  he  invariably  makes  use  of  the  four  senses, 
seeing,  hearing,  smelling  and  feeling,  in  all  of  his  ex- 
aminations, of  which  the  sense  of  feeling  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  important.  And  we  know  from  experience, 
that  if  a  horse  sees  and  smells  a  robe  a  short  distance 
fi-om  him,  he  is  very  much  frightened,  (unless  he  is 
used  to  it,)  until  he  touches  or  feels  it  with  his  nose  ; 
which  is  a  positive  proof  that  feeling  is  the  controlling 
sense  in  this  case* 


Powel's  System.  67 

powel's  system  of  appeoaching  the  colt. 

But  before  we  go  further,  I  will  give  you  WilUs  J. 
Powel's  system  of  aj^proaching  a  wild  colt,  as  given  by 
him  in  a  work  pubUshed  in  Europe,  about  the  year 
1814,  on  the  "Art  of  taming  wild  horses."  He  says, 
"  A  horse  is  gentled  by  my  secret  in  from  two  to  six- 
teen hours.  The  time  I  have  most  commonly  em- 
ployed has  been  from  four  to  six  hours."  He  goes  on 
to  say :  "  Cause  your  horse  to  be  put  in  a  small  yard, 
stable,  or  room.  If  in  a  stable  or  room,  it  ought  to  be 
large,  in  order  to  give  him  some  exercise  with  the  hal- 
ter before  you  lead  him  out.  If  the  horse  belongs  to 
that  class  which  appears  only  to  fear  man,  you  must 
introduce  yourself  gently  into  the  stable,  room,  or 
yard,  where  the  horse  is ;  he  will  naturally  run  from 
you,  and  frequently  turn  his  head  from  you ;  but  you 
must  walk  about  extremely  slow  and  softly,  so  that  he 
can  see  you  whenever  he  turns  his  head  towards  you, 
which  he  never  fails  to  do  in  a  short  time,  say  in  a 
quarter  or  half  an  hour.  I  never  knew  one  to  be  much 
longer  without  turning  towards  me. 

"  At  the  very  moment  he  turns  his  head,  hold  out 
your  left  hand  towards  him,  and  stand  perfectly  stiU, 
keeping  your  eyes  upon  the  horse,  watching  his  mo- 
tions, if  he  makes  any.  K  the  horse  does  not  stir  for 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  advance  as  slowly  as  possible, 
and  without  making  the  least  noise,  always  holding  out 
your  left  hand,  without  any  other  ingredient  in  it  than 
what  nature  put  in  it."  He  says,  "  I  have  made  use  of 
certain  mgredients  before  people,  such  as  the  sweat 
under  my  arm,  etc.,  to  disguise  the  real  secret,  and 
many  believed  that  the  docility,  to  which  the  horse  ar- 
rived in  so  short  a  time,  was  owing  to  these  ingredients; 


68  The  Horse  Farrieb. 

but  you  see  from  this  explanation  that  they  were  of 
no  use  whatever.  The  implicit  faith  placed  in  these 
ingredients,  though  innocent  of  themselves,  becomes 
*'  faith  without  works."  And  thus  men  remained  al- 
ways in  doubt  concerning  the  secret.  If  the  horse 
makes  the  least  motion  when  you  advance  towards 
him,  stop,  and  remain  perfectly  still  until  he  is  quiet. 
Remain  a  few  moments  in  this  condition,  and  then  ad- 
vance again  m  the  same  slow  and  almost  imperceptible 
manner.  Take  notice  ;  if  the  horse  stirs,  stop,  without 
changing  your  position.  It  is  very  uncommon  for  the 
horse  to  stir  more  than  once  after  you  begin  to  advance, 
yet  there  are  exceptions.  He  generally  keeps  his  eyes 
steadfast  on  you,  until  you  get  near  enough  to  touch 
him  on  the  forehead.  When  you  are  thus  near  to  him, 
raise,  slowly,  and  by  degrees,  your  hand,  and  let  it 
come  in  contact  with  that  part  just  above  the  nostrils 
as  lightly  as  possible.  If  the  horse  flinches,  (as  many 
will,)  repeat  with  great  rapidity  these  Ught  strokes 
upon  the  forehead,  going  a  httle  further  up  towards 
his  ears  by  degrees,  and  descending  with  the  same  ra- 
pidity until  he  will  let  you  handle  his  forehead  all  over. 
Now  let  the  strokes  be  repeated  with  more  force  over 
all  his  forehead,  until  you  can  handle  that  part  with 
equal  facility.  Then  touch  in  the  same  light  manner, 
making  your  hands  and  fingers  play  around  the  lower 
part  of  the  horse's  ears,  coming  down  now  and  then 
to  his  forehead,  which  may  be  looked  upon  as  the 
helm  that  governs  all  the  rest. 

"Having  succeeded  in  handling  his  ears,  advance 
towards  the  neck,  with  the  same  precautions,  and  in 
the  same  manner;  observing  always  to  augment  the 


Handling  the  Colt.  59 

force  of  the  strokes  whenever  tlie  liorse  will  permit  it. 
Perform  the  same  on  both  sides  of  the  neck,  until  he 
lets  you  take  it  ui  your  arms  without  flinching. 

"Proceed  in  the  same  progressive  manner  to  the 
sides,  and  then  to  the  back  of  the  horse.  Every  time 
the  horse  shows  any  nervousness,  return  immediately 
to  the  forehead  as  the  true  standard,  patting  him  with 
your  hands,  and  from  thence  rapidly  to  where  you  had 
already  arrived,  always  gaming  ground  a  considerable 
distance  farther  on,  every  time  this  hapj)ens.  The 
head,  ears,  neck,  and  body  being  thus  gentled,  proceed 
fi'om  the  neck  to  the  root  of  the  tail. 

"  This  must  be  managed  mth  dexterity,  as  a  horse 
is  never  to  be  depended  on  that  is  skittish  about  the 
tail.  Let  your  hand  fall  lightly  and  rapidly  on  that 
part  next  to  the  body  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  you 
will  begm  to  give  it  a  slight  pull  upAvards  every  quar- 
ter of  a  minute.  At  the  same  time  you  continue  this 
handling  of  him,  augment  the  force  of  the  strokes  as 
well  as  the  raising  of  the  tail,  until  you  can  raise  it 
and  handle  it  with  the  greatest  ease,  which  commonly 
happens  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  most  horses,  in  oth- 
ers almost  immediately,  and  in  some  much  longer.  It 
now  remains  to  handle  all  his  legs ;  from  the  tail  come 
back  again  to  the  head,  handle  it  well,  as  likewise  the 
ears,  breast,  neck,  etc.,  speaking  now  and  then  to  the 
horse.  Begin  by  degrees  to  descend  to  the  legs,  al- 
ways ascending  and  descending,  gaining  ground  every 
time  you  descend,  until  you  get  to  his  feet. 

"  Talk  to  the  horse ;  let  him  hear  the  sound  of  your 
voice,  which  at  the  beginning  of  the  operation  is  not 
quite  so  necessary,  but  which  I  have  always  done  in 


30  The  Horse  Faerier. 

making  him  lift  up  his  foot.  'Hold  up  your  foot' — at 
the  same  time  hft  his  foot  with  your  left  hand.  He 
soon  becomes  familiar  with  the  sounds,  and  will  hold 
up  his  foot  at  command.  Then  proceed  to  the  hind 
feet,  and  go  on  in  the  same  manner ;  and  in  a  short 
time  the  horse  will  let  you  lift  them  and  even  take 
them  in  your  arms. 

"  All  this  operation  is  no  magnetism,  no  galvanism ; 
it  is  merely  taking  away  the  fear  a  horse  generally  has 
of  a  man,  and  familiarizing  the  animal  with  his  master ; 
as  the  horse  doubtless  experiences  a  certam  pleasure 
from  this  handung,  he  will  soon  become  gentle  under 
it,  and  show  a  very  marked  attachment  to  his  keeper." 

REMARKS    ON   POWEL'S   TREATJMEXT HOW    TO     GOVERN 

HORSES    OF    ANY   KIND. 

These  instructions  are  very  good,  but  not  quite  suf- 
ficient for  horses  of  all  kinds,  and  for  haltering  and 
leading  the  colt;  but  I  have  mserted  it  here  because 
it  gives  some  of  the  true  philosophy  of  approaching 
the  horse,  and  of  establishing  confidence  between  man 
and  horse.     He  speaks  only  of  the  kind  that  fear  man. 

To  those  who  understand  the  philosophy  of  horse- 
manship, these  are  the  easiest  trained;  for  when  we 
have  a  horse  that  is  wild  and  hvely,  we  can  train  him 
to  our  will  in  a  very  short  time ;  for  they  are  generally 
quick  to  learn,  and  always  ready  to  obey.  But  there 
is  another  kind  that  are  of  a  stubborn  or  vicious  dis- 
position, and  although  they  are  not  wild,  and  do  not 
require  taming,  in  the  sense  it  is  generally  understood, 
they  are  just  as  ignorant  as  a  wild  horse,  if  not  more 
so,  and  need  to  be  learned  just  as  much ;  and  in  order 
to  have  them  obey  quickly,  it  is  very  necessaiy  that 


Governing    the  Rouse.  61 

tliey  should  be  made  to  fear  tlieir  master ;  for,  in  order 
to  obtain  perfect  obedience  from  any  horse,  we  must 
first  have  him  fear  us,  for  our  motto  is,  Fem\  love^  and 
obey  ;  and  we  must  have  the  fulfillment  of  the  first 
two,  before  we  can  expect  the  latter,  and  it  is  by  our 
philosophy  of  creating  fear,  love  and  confidence,  that 
we  govern  to  our  T\-ill  every  kind  of  horse  whatever. 

Then,  in  order  to  take  horses  as  we  find  them,  of  all 
kinds,  and  to  train  them  to  our  liking,  we  will  alwasy 
take  with  us  when  we  go  into  a  stable  to  train  a  colt, 
a  long  switch  whip,  (whalebone  buggy  whips  are  the 
best,  (mth  a  good  silk  ci-^cker,  so  as  to  cut  keen  and 
make  a  sharp  report,  which,  if  handled  with  dexterity, 
and  rightly  applied,  accompanied  with  a  sharp,  fierce 
word,  will  be  sufiicient  to  enUven  the  spirits  of  any  horse. 

With  this  w^hip  m  your  right  hand,  wdth  the  lash 
opinting  backward,  enter  the  stable  alone.  It  is  a 
great  disadvantage  in  training  a  horse,  to  have  any 
one  in  the  stable  with  you ;  you  should  be  entirely 
alone,  so  as  to  havet  nothing  but  yourself  to  attract  his 
attention.  If  he  is  wild,  you  will  soon  see  him  in  the 
opposite  side  of  the  stable  from  you ;  and  now  is  the 
time  to  use  a  little  judgment,  I  would  not  want,  for 
myself,  more  than  half  or  three-quarters  of  an  hour 
to  handle  any  kind  of  a  colt,  and  have  him  running 
about  m  the  stable  after  me  ;  though  I  would  ad\dse  a 
new  beginner  to  take  more  time,  and  not  be  in  too 
much  of  a  hurry.  If  you  have  but  one  colt  to  gentle, 
and  are  not  particular  about  the  length  of  time  you 
spend,  and  have  not  had  any  experience  in  handling 
colts,  I  would  advise  you  to  take  Mr.  Powel's  method  at 
first,  till  you  gentle  him,  which,  he  says,  takes  from  two 
to  six  hours. 


62  The  Hoese  Fakriee, 

But  as  I  want  to  accomplish  the  same,  and  what  is 
much  more,  learn  the  horse  to  lead  in  less  than  one 
hour,  I  shall  give  you  a  much  quicker  process  of  ac- 
complishing the  same  end.  Accordingly,  when  you 
have  entered  the  stable,  stand  still  and  let  your  horse 
look  at  you  a  minute  or  two  ;  and  as  soon  as  he  is  set- 
tled in  one  place,  approach  him  slowly,  with  both 
arms  stationary,  yom*  right  hanging  by  your  side,  hold- 
ing the  whip  as  directed,  and  the  left  bent  at  the  elbow, 
with  your  right  hand  projecting.  As  you  approach 
him,  go  not  too  much  towards  his  head  or  crouj),  so  as 
not  to  make  him  move,  either  forward  or  backward, 
thus  keeping  your  horse  stationary  ;  if  he  does  move 
a  little,  forward  or  backward,  step  a  little  to  the  right 
or  left  very  cautiously ;  this  will  keep  him  in  one  place. 
As  you  get  very  near  him,  draw  a  little  to  his  shoulder, 
and  stop  a  few  seconds.  If  you  are  in  his  reach  he 
will  turn  his  head  and  smell  of  your  hand,  not  that  he 
has  any  preference  for  your  hand,  but  because  that  i» 
projecting,  and  is  the  nearest  portion  of  your  body  to 
the  horse.  This  aU  colts  will  do ;  and  they  will  smell 
of  your  naked  hand  just  as  quick  as  of  anything  that 
you  can  put  in  it,  and  with  just  as  good  an  effect,  how- 
ever much  some  men  may  have  preached  the  doctrine 
of  taming  horses  by  giving  them  the  scent  of  articles 
from  the  hand.  I  have  already  proved  that  to  be  a 
mistake.  As  soon  as  he  touches  his  nose  to  your  hand, 
caress  him  as  before  directed,  always  using  a  very  light, 
soft  hand,  merely  touching  the  horse,  always  rubbing 
the  way  the  hair  lies,  so  that  your  hand  will  pass  along 
as  smoothly  as  possible.  As  you  stand  by  his  side  you 
may  find  it  more  convenient  to  rub  his  neck,  or  the 


Learning  the  Horse  to  Lead.  63 

side  of  his  head,  which  will  answer  the  sairfe  purpose 
as  rubbing  his  forehead.  Favor  every  inclination  of 
the  horse  to  smell  or  touch  you  with  his  nose.  Always 
follow  each  touch  or  communication  of  this  kind  with 
the  most  tender  and  affectionate  caresses,  accompanied 
with  a  kind  look,  and  pleasant  word  of  some  sort,  such 
as,  "  Ho  !  my  little  boy,  ho  !  my  little  boy,  pretty  boy, 
nice  lady !  "  or  something  of  that  kind,  constantly  re- 
peating the  same  words,  with  the  same  kind,  steady 
tone  of  voice ;  for  the  horse  soon  learns  to  read  the 
expression  of  the  face  and  voice,  and  will  know  as  well 
when  fear,  love  or  anger  prevails,  as  you  know  your 
own  feehngs ;  two  of  which,  fear  and  anger ^  a  good 
horseman  should  never  feel. 

HOW   TO    PROCEED   IF   TOUR    HORSE   IS     OF   A   STUBBORN 
DISPOSITION. 

If  your  horse,  instead  of  being  wild,  seems  to  be  of 
a  stubborn  or  mulish  disposition  ;  if  he  lays  back  his 
ears  as  you  approach  him,  or  turns  his  heels  to  kick 
you,  he  has  not  that  regard  or  fear  of  man  that  he 
should  have,  to  enable  you  to  handle  him  quickly  and 
easily  ;  and  it  might  be  well  to  give  him  a  few  sharp 
cuts  with  the  whij),  about  his  legs,  pretty  close  to  the 
body.  It  will  crack  keen  as  it  plies  around  his  legs, 
and  the  crack  of  the  whip  will  affect  him  as  much  as 
the  stroke ;  besides,  one  sharp  cut  about  his  legs  will 
affect  him  more  than  two  or  three  over  his  back,  the 
skin  on  the  inner  part  of  his  legs  or  about  his  flank  be- 
ing thinner,  more  tender  than  on  his  back.  But  do 
not  whip  liim  much,  just  enough  to  scare  him,  it  is  not 
because  we  want  to  hurt  the  horse  that  we  whip  him, 


64  The  Horse  Fakeier. 

we  only  do  it  to  scare  that  bad  disposition  out  of  him. 
But  whatever  you  do,  do  quickly,  sharply,  and  with 
a  good  deal  of  fire,  but  always  without  anger.  If  you 
are  going  to  scare  him  at  all,  you  must  do  it  at  once. 
Never  go  into  a  pitch  battle  with  your  horse,  and 
whip  him  until  he  is  mad,  and  will  fight  you ;  you  had 
better  not  touch  him  at  all,  for  you  will  establish  in- 
stead of  fear  and  regard,  feeimgs  of  resentment,  ill- 
will  and  hatred.  It  will  do  him  no  good,  but  an  hijury, 
to  strike  a  blow,  unless  you  can  scare  him ;  but  if  you 
succeed  in  scaring  him,  you  can  whip  liim  without 
making  him  mad ;  for  fear  and  anger  never  exist  to- 
gether in  the  horse,  and  as  soon  as  one  is  visible,  you 
will  find  that  the  other  has  disappeared.  As  soon  as 
you  have  frightened  him  so  that  he  will  stand  up 
straight,  and  pay  some  attention  to  you,  api3roach 
him  again,  and  caress  him  a  good  deal  more  than  you 
whipped  him,  then  you  will  excite  the  two  controlling 
passions  of  his  nature,  love  and  fear,  and  then  he  will 
love  and  fear  you  too,  and  as  soon  as  he  learns  what 
to  do,  will  obey  quickly. 

HOW  TO    HAXTEE   AND   LEAD   A    COLT. 

As  soon  as  you  have  gentled  the  colt  a  little,  take 
the  halter  in  your  left  hand  and  approach  him  as  be-, 
fore,  and  on  the  same  side  that  you  have  gentled  him. 
If  he  is  very  timid  about  your  approaching  closely  to 
him,  you  can  get  iii:>  to  him  quicker  by  making  the 
whip  a  part  of  your  arm,  and  reaching  out  very  gent- 
ly with  the  butt  end  of  it ;  rubbing  him  lightly  on  the 
neck,  all  the  time  getting  a  little  closer,  shortening  the 
whip  by  taking  it  up  m  your  hand,  until  you  finally 
get  close  enough  to  put  your  hands  on  him.     If  he  is 


Stubborn  Disposition.  f>5 

inclined  to  hold  his  head  from  you,  put  the  end  of  the 
halter  strap  around  his  neck,  drop  your  whip,  and  draw 
very  gently ;  he  will  let  his  neck  give,  and  you  can  pull 
his  head  to  you.  Then  take  hold  of  that  part  of  the 
halter  which  bucldes  over  the  top  of  his  head,  and  pass 
the  long  side,  or  that  part  w^hich  goes  into  the  buckle, 
under  his  neck,  grasping  it  on  the  opposite  side  with 
your  right  hand,  letting  the  first  strap  loose — the  lat- 
ter will  be  sufficient  to  hold  his  head  to  you.  Lower 
the  halter  a  little,  just  enough  to  get  his  nose  into  that 
part  which  goes  around  it,  then  raise  it  somewhat,  and 
fasten  the  top  buckle,  and  you  will  have  it  all  right. 
The  first  time  you  halter  a  colt  you  should  stand  on 
the  left  side,  pretty  well  back  to  his  shoulder,  only 
taking  hold  of  that  part  of  the  halter  which  goes 
around  his  neck,  then  with  your  two  hands  about  his 
neck  you  can  hold  his  head  to  you,  and  raise  the  hal- 
ter on  it  without  making  him  dodge  by  puttmg  your 
hands  about  his  nose.  You  should  have  a  long  rope 
or  strap  ready,  and  as  soon  as  you  have  the  halter  on, 
attach  this  to  it,  so  that  you  can  let  him  walk  the 
length  of  the  stable  without  letting  go  of  the  strap, 
or  without  making  him  pull  on  the  halter,  for  if  you 
only  let  him  feel  the  weight  of  your  hand  on  the  hal- 
ter, and  give  him  rope  when  he  runs  from  you,  he  will 
never  rear,  pull,  or  throw  himself,  yet  you  will  be  hold- 
ing him  all  the  time,  and  doing  more  towards  gentlmg 
him  than  if  you  had  the  power  to  snub  him  right  up, 
and  hold  him  to  one  spot ;  because  he  does  not  know 
anything  about  his  strength,  and  if  you  don't  do  any- 
thing to  make  him  pull,  he  will  never  know  that  he 
can.     In  a  few  minutes  you  can  begin  to  control  him 


66  The  Horse  Fakriek. 

with  the  halter,  then  shorten  the  distance  between 
yourself  and  the  horse,  by  taking  up  the  strap  in  your 
hand. 

As  soon  as  he  will  allow  you  to  hold  him  by  a  toler- 
ably short  strap,  and  step  up  to  him  without  flying 
back,  you  can  begin  to  give  him  some  idea  about  lead- 
ing. But  to  do  this,  do  not  go  before  and  attempt  to 
pull  him  after  you,  but  commence  by  pulling  him  very 
quietly  to  one  side.  He  has  nothing  to  brace  either 
side  of  his  neck,  and  will  soon  yield  to  a  steady,  grad- 
ual pull  of  the  halter ;  and  as  soon  as  you  have  pulled 
him  a  step  or  two  to  one  side,  step  up  to  him  and  ca- 
ress him,  and  then  pull  him  agam,  repeating  this  oper- 
ation until  you  can  pull  him  around  in  every  direction, 
and  walk  about  the  stable  with  him,  which  you  can  do 
in  a  few  minutes,  for  he  will  soon  think  when  you  have 
made  him  step  to  the  right  or  left  a  few  times,  that  he 
is  compelled  to  follow  the  pull  of  the  halter,  not  know- 
ing that  he  has  the  power  to  resist  your  puUing ;  be- 
sides you  have  handled  him  so  gently  that  he  is  not 
afraid  of  you,  and  you  always  caress  him  when  he 
comes  up  to  you,  and  he  likes  that,  and  would  just  as 
leave  follow  you  as  not.  And  after  he  has  had  a  few 
lessons  of  that  kind,  if  you  turn  him  out  in  a  lot  he 
wtII  come  up  to  you  every  opportunity  he  gets.  You 
should  lead  him  about  in  the  stable  some  time  before 
you  take  him  out,  opening  the  door,  so  that  he  can 
see  out,  leading  him  up  to  it  and  back  again,  and  past 
it.  See  that  there  is  nothing  on  the  outside  to  make 
him  jump  when  you  take  him.  out,  and  as  you  go  out 
with  him,  try  to  make  him  go  very  slowly,  catching  hold 
of  the  halter  close  to  the  jaw  with  your  left  hand. 


Leading  Colts.  67 

while  the  right  is  resting  on  the  top  of  his  neck,  liold- 
ing  to  his  mane.  After  you  are  out  with  him  a  little 
while,  you  can  lead  him  about  as  you  please.  Don't 
let  any  second  person  come  up  to  you  when  you  first 
take  him  out ;  a  stranger  taking  hold  of  the  halter 
would  frighten  him,  and  make  him  run.  There  should 
not  even  be  any  one  standing  near  him  to  attract  his 
attention,  or  scare  him.  If  you  are  alone,  and  manage 
him  right,  it  will  not  require  any  more  force  to  lead 
or  hold  him  than  it  would  to  manage  a  broke  horse. 

HOW   TO   LEAD    A    COLT   BY   THE    SIDE    OF    A   BROKE 
HORSE. 

If  you  should  want  to  lead  your  colt  by  the  side  of 
another  horse,  as  is  often  the  case,  I  would  advise  you 
to  take  your  horse  into  the  stable,  attach  a  second 
strap  to  the  colt's  halter,  and  lead  up  your  horse  along 
side  of  him.  Then  get  on  the  broke  horse  and  take 
one  strap  around  his  breast,  under  his  martingale,  (if 
he  has  one  on,)  holding  it  in  your  left  hand.  This  will 
prevent  the  colt  from  getting  back  too  far ;  besides, 
you  w^ill  have  more  power  to  hold  him,  with  the  strap 
pulling  against  the  horse's  breast.  The  other  strap 
take  up  in  your  right  hand,  to  prevent  him  from  run- 
ning ahead ;  then  turn  him  about  a  few  times  in  the 
stable,  and  if  the  door  is  wide  enough,  ride  out  with 
him  in  that  j^osition ;  if  not,  take  the  broke  horse  out 
first,  and  stand  his  breast  up  against  the  door,  then 
lead  the  colt  to  the  same  spot,  and  take  the  straps  as 
before  directed,  one  on  each  side  of  his  neck,  then  let 
some  one  start  the  colt  out,  and  as  he  comes  out,  turn 
your  horse  to  the  left,  and  you  will  have  them  all 
right.    This  is  the  best  way  to  lead  a  colt ;  you  can 


68  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

manage  any  kind  of  a  colt  in  this  way  without  any 
trouble,  for,  if  he  tries  to  run  ahead,  or  pull  back,  the 
two  straps  will  bring  the  horses  facing  each  other,  so 
that  you  can  very  easily  follow  up  his  movements  with- 
out doing  much  holding,  and  as  soon  as  he  stops  run- 
ning backward,  you  are  right  with  him,  and  ready  to 
go  ahead.  And  if  he  gets  stubborn,  and  does  not 
want  to  go,  you  can  remove  all  his  stubbornness  by 
ridmg  your  horse  against  his  neck,  thus  compelling 
hun  to  turn  to  the  right,  and  as  soon  as  you  have 
turned  him  about  a  few  times,  he  will  be  willing  to  go 
along.  The  next  thing,  after  you  are  through  leading 
him,  will  be  to  take  him  into  a  stable,  and  hitch  him  in 
such  a  way  as  not  to  have  him  pull  on  the  halter,  and 
as  they  are  often  very  troublesome  to  get  into  a  stable 
the  first  few  times,  I  will  give  you  some  instructions 
about  getting  him  in. 

HOW  TO   LEAD     A    COLT    INTO    THE   STABLE   A1SX>    HITCH 
HIM   WITHOUT   HAVnS^G   HIM   PULL    ON   THE    HALTER. 

You  should  lead  the  broke  horse  into  the  stable  first, 
and  get  the  colt,  if  you  can,  to  follow  in  after  him.  If 
he  refuses  to  go,  step  up  to  him,  taking  a  little  stick 
or  switch  in  your  right  hand ;  then  take  hold  of  the 
halter  close  to  his  head  with  your  left  hand,  at  the 
same  time  reaching  over  his  back  with  your  right  arm, 
so  that  you  can  ta])  him  on  the  opposite  side  with  your 
switch ;  bring  him  up  facing  the  door,  tap  him  lightly 
with  your  switch,  reaching  as  far  back  as  you  can. 
This  tapping,  by  bemg  pretty  well  back,  and  on  the 
opposite  side,  will  drive  him  ahead,  and  keep  him  close 
to  you,  then  by  giving  him  the  right  direction  with 
your  left  hand  you  can  walk  into  the  stable  with  him. 


Fulling  on  the  Haltee.  69 

I  have  walked  colts  into  the  stable  this  way,  in  less 
than  a  minute,  after  men  had  worked  at  them  half  an 
hour  trying  to  pull  them.  If  you  cannot  walk  with 
him  at  once  in  this  way,  turn  him  about  and  walk  him 
around  m  every  direction,  until  you  can  get  him  up  to 
the  door  without  pulhng  at  him.  Then  let  him  stand 
a  few  nimutes,  keeping  his  head  in  the  right  direction 
with  the  halter,  and  he  will  walk  in,  in  less  than  ten 
minutes.  Never  attempt  to  pull  the  colt  into  the  stable ; 
that  would  make  him  think  at  once  that  it  was  a  dan- 
gerous place,  and  if  he  was  not  afraid  of  it  before,  he 
would  be  then.  Besides  we  don't  want  him  to  know 
anything  about  pulUng  on  the  halter.  Colts  are  often 
hurt,  and  sometimes  killed,  by  trying  to  force  them 
into  the  stable ;  and  those  who  attempt  to  do  it  in  that 
way,  go  into  an  up-hill  business,  when  a  plain,  smooth 
road  is  before  them. 

If  you  want  to  hitch  your  colt,  put  him  in  a  tolera- 
bly wide  stall,  which  should  not  be  too  long,  and  should 
be  connected  by  a  bar  or  somethmg  of  that  kuM  to 
the  partition  behind  it ;  so  that  after  the  colt  is  in,  he 
cannot  get  far  enough  back  to  take  a  straight  back- 
ward pull  on  the  halter ;  then  by  hitching  him  in  the 
centre  of  the  stall,  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to 
puU  on  the  halter,  the  partition  behind  preventing  him 
from  going  back,  and  the  halter  in  the  centre  checking 
him  every  time  he  turns  to  the  right  or  left.  In  a  stall 
of  this  kind  you  can  break  every  horse  to  stand  hitched 
by  a  light  strap,  any  where,  without  his  knowing  any- 
thing about  pulling.  But  if  you  have  broke  your 
horse  to  lead,  and  have  learned  him  to  use  the  halter, 
(which  you  should  always  do  before  you  hitch  him  to 


70  Thb  Hoese  Farrieb. 

anything,)  you  can  hitch  him  in  any  kind  of  a  stall  and 
give  him  something  to  eat  to  keep  him  up  to  his  place 
for  a  few  minutes  at  first,  and  there  is  not  one  colt  out 
of  fifty  that  will  pull  on  his  halter. 

THE   KIND    OP   BIT,    A^TD    HOW    TO    ACCUSTOM    A    HORSE 
TO   IT. 

You  should  use  a  large,  smooth,  snaffle  bit,  so  as 
not  to  hurt  his  mouth,  with  a  bar  on  each  side  to  pre- 
vent the  bit  from  pulling  through  either  way.  This 
you  should  attach  to  the  head-stall  of  your  bridle  and 
put  it  on  your  colt  without  any  reias  to  it,  and  let  him 
run  loose  in  a  large  stable  or  shed  some  time,  until  he 
becomes  a  Httle  used  to  the  bit,  and  will  bear  it  with- 
out trying  to  get  it  out  of  his  mouth.  It  would  be 
well,  if  convenient,  to  repeat  this  several  times  before 
you  do  anything  more  with  the  colt ;  as  soon  as  he 
will  bear  the  bit,  attach  a  single  rein  to  it,  without  any 
martingale.  You  should  also  have  a  halter  on  your 
colt,  or  a  bridle  made  after  the  fashion  of  a  halter, 
with  a  strap  to  it,  so  that  you  can  hold  or  lead  him 
about  without  pulling  on  the  bit  much.  He  is  now 
ready  for  the  saddle. 

HOW  TO   SADDLE   A   COLT. 

Any  one  man,  who  has  this  theory,  can  put  a  saddle 
on  the  wildest  colt  that  ever  grew,  without  any  help, 
and  without  scaring  him.  The  first  thing  will  be  to 
tie  each  stirrup  strap  into  a  loose  knot  to  make  them 
short,  and  prevent  the  stirrups  from  flying  about  and 
hitting  him.  Then  double  up  the  skirts  and  take  the 
saddle  under  your  right  arm,  so  as  not  to  frighten  him 
with  it  as  you  approach.     When  you  get  to  him,  rub 


Staiji.t^'(j  Cclts.  71 

him  gently  a  few  times  with  your  hand,  and  then  raise 
the  saddle  very  slowly,  mitil  he  can  see  it,  and  smell,  and 
feel  it  with  his  nose.  Then  let  the  skirts  loose,  and  rub 
it  very  gently  against  the  neck  the  way  the  hair  lays,  let- 
ting him  hear  the  rattle  of  the  skirts  as  he  feels  them 
against  him,  each  time  getting  a  little  farther  backward, 
and  finally  slip  it  over  his  shoulders  on  his  back.  Shake 
it  a  little  with  your  hand,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes 
you  can  rattle  it  over  his  back  as  much  as  you  please,  and 
imll  it  off  and  throw  it  on  again,  without  his  paying 
much  attention  to  it. 

As  soon  as  you  have  accustomed  him  to  the  saddle, 
fasten  the  girth.  Be  careful  how  you  do  this.  It  often 
frightens  the  colt  when  he  feels  the  girth  binding  him, 
and  making  the  saddle  fit  tight  on  his  back.  You 
should  bring  uj:)  the  girth  very  gently,  and  not  draw  it 
too  tight  at  first,  just  enough  to  hold  the  saddle  on. 
Move  Iiim  a  little,  and  then  girth  it  as  tight  as  you 
choose,  and  he  will  not  mind  it.  * 

You  should  see  that  the  pad  of  your  saddle  is  all 
right  before  you  put  it  on,  ai)d  that  there  is  nothing  to 
make  it  hurt  him,  or  feel  un^^leasant  to  his  back.  It 
should  not  have  any  loose  straj)S  on  the  back  part  of 
it,  to  flap  about  and  scare  him.  After  you  have  sad- 
dled him  in  this  way,  take  a  switch  in  your  right  hand, 
to  tap  him  up  ^\  ith,  and  walk  about  in  the  stable  a  few 
times  with  your  right  arm  over  your  saddle,  taking 
hold  of  the  reins  on  each  side  of  his  neck,  with  your 
right  and  left  hands  ;  .thus  marching  him  about  in  the 
stable  until  you  learn  him  the  use  of  the  bridle,  and 
can  turn  him  about  in  any  direction,  and  stop  him  by  a 
gentle  pull  of  the  rein.  Always  caress  him,  and  loose 
the  reins  a  little  every  time  you  stop  him. 


72  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

You  should  always  be  alone,  and  have  your  colt  in 
some  tight  stable  or  shed,  the  first  time  you  ride  him  ; 
the  loft  should  be  high,  so  that  you  can  sit  on  his  back 
without  endangering  your  head.  You  can  learn  him 
more  in  two  hours'  time  in  a  stable  of  this  kind,  than 
you  could  in  two  weeks  in  the  common  way  of  break- 
ing colts,  out  m  an  open  place.  If  you  follow  my 
course  of  treatment,  you  need  not  run  any  risk,  or  have 
any  trouble  hi  riding  the  worst  kind  of  a  horse.  You 
mu§t  take  him  a  step  at  a  time,  until  you  get  up  a  mutual 
confidence  and  trust  between  yourself  and  horse.  First 
learn  to  be  lead  and  stand  hitched  ;  next,  acquaint  him 
with  the  saddle  and  the  use  of  the  bit,  and  then  all 
that  remains  is  to  get  on  without  scaring  him,  and  you 
can  ride  him  as  well  as  any  horse. 

HOW  TO    MOUXT   THE   COLT. 

Fu'st,  gentle  him  well  on  both  sides,  about  the  sad- 
dle, and  all  oj^er,  until  he  will  stand  still  without  hold- 
ing, and  is  not  afraid  to  see  you  anywhere  about  him. 

As  soon  as  you  have  him  thus  gentled,  get  a  small 
block,  about  one  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in  height,  and 
set  it  down  by  the  side  of  him,  about  where  you  want 
to  stand  to  mount  him  ;  step  up  on  this,  raising  your- 
self very  gently ;  horses  notice  every  change  of  position 
very  closely,  and,  if  you  were  to  step  suddenly  on  the 
block,  it  would  be  very  apt  to  scare  him ;  but,  by 
raising  yourself  gradually  on  it,  he  will  see  you  with- 
out being  frightened,  in  a  position  very  near  the  same 
as  when  you  are  on  his  back.       * 

As  soon  as  he  will  bear  this  without  alarm,  untie  the 
stirrup-strap  next  to  you,  and  put  your  left  foot  into 
the  stirrup,  and  stand  square  over  it,  holding  your  knee 


i 


How  TO  Mount  a  Colt.  73 

against  the  horse,  and  your  toe  out,  so  as  not  to  touch 
him  under  the  shoulder  ^vith  the  toe  of  your  boot. 
Place  your  right  hand  on  the  front  of  the  saddle,  and 
on  the  opposite  side  of  you,  taking  hold  of  a  portion 
of  the  mane  and  reins,  as  they  hang  loosely  over  the 
neck,  with  your  left  hand ;  then  gradually  bear  your 
weight  on  the  stirrup,  and  on  your  right  hand,  until 
the  horse  feels  your  whole  weight  on  the  saddle.  Re- 
peat this  several  times,  each  time  raising  yourself  a  ht- 
tle  higher  from  the  block,  until  he  will  allow  you  to 
raise  your  leg  over  his  croup  and  place  yourself  in  the 
saddle. 

There  are  three  great  advantages  in  having  a  block 
to  mount  from.  First,  a  sudden  change  of  position  is 
very  apt  to  frighten  a  young  horse  who  lias  never  been 
handled.  He  will  allow  you  to  walk  up  to  him  and 
stand  by  his  side  mthout  scaring  at  you,  because  you 
have  gentled  him  to  that  position,  but  if  you  get  down 
on  your  hands  and  knees  and  crawl  towards  him,  he 
will  be  very  much  frightened;  and  upon  the  same 
principle,  he  would  frighten  at  your  new  position  if  you 
had  the  power  to  hold  yourself  over  his  back  without 
touching  him.  Then,  the  first  great  advantage  of  the 
block  is  to  gradually  gentle  him  to  that  new  position 
in  which  he  will  see  you  when  you  ride  him. 

Secondly,  by  the  process  of  leaning  your  weight  in 
the  stirrups,  and  on  your  hand,  you  can  gradually  ac- 
custom him  to  your  weight,  so  as  not  to  frighten  him 
by  having  him  feel  it  all  at  once.  And,  in  the  third 
place,  the  block  elevates  you  so  that  you  will  not  have 
to  make  a  spring  in  order  to  get  on  the  horse's  back, 
but  from  it  you  can  gradually  raise  yourself  into  the 


74  The  Horse  Faerier. 

saddle.  Wlien  you  take  these  precautions,  there  is  no 
horse  so  wild  but  you  can  mount  him  without  making 
him  jumi^.  I  have  tried  it  on  the  worst  horses  that 
could  be  found,  and  have  never  failed  in  any  case. 
When  mounting,  your  horse  should  always  stand  with- 
out being  held.  A  horse  is  never  well  broke  when  he 
has  to  be  held  with  a  tight  rein  when  mounting ;  and 
a  colt  is  never  so  safe  to  mount,  as  when  you  see  that 
assurance  of  confidence  and  absence  of  fear  which 
causes  him  to  stand  without  holding. 

HOW  TO    EIDE   A   COLT. 

When  you  want  him  to  start,  do  not  touch  him  on 
the  side  with  your  heel,  or  do  anything  to  frighten 
him  and  make  iiim  jump ;  but  speak  to  him  kindly,  and 
if  he  does  not  start,  pull  him  a  little  to  the  left  until 
he  starts,  and  then  let  him  walk  off  slowly  with  the 
reins  loose.  Walk  him  around  in  the  stable  a  few 
times  until  he  gets  used  to  the  bit,  and  you  can  turn 
him  about  in  every  direction  and  stop  him  as  you  please. 
It  would  be  well  to  get  on  and  off  a  good  many  times, 
until  he  gets  perfectly  used  to  it,  before  you  take  him 
out  of  the  stable. 

After  you  have  trained  him  in  this  way,  which  should 
not  take  more  than  one  or  two  hours,  you  can  ride  him 
anywhere  you  choose  without  ever  having  him  jump  or 
make  an  effort  to  throw  you. 

When  you  first  take  him  out  of  the  stable,  be  very 
gentle  with  him.  as  he  will  feel  a  little  more  at  liberty 
to  jump  or  run,  and  be  a  fittle  easier  frightened  than 
he  was  while  in  the  stable.  But  after  handling  him  so 
much  in  the  stable,  he  will  be  pretty  well  broke,  and 


How  TO  Ride  A  Colt.  75 

you  will  be  able  to  manage  him  without  trouble  or 
danger. 

When  you  first  mount  him,  take  a  little  the  shortest 
hold  of  the  left  rein,  so  that  if  anything  frightens  him, 
you  can  prevent  him  from  jumj^iug  by  pulling  his  head 
around  to  you.  This  oj)eration  of  pulling  a  horse's 
head  around  against  his  side,  will  prevent  any  horse 
from  jumping  ahead,  rearing  up,  or  running  away.  If 
he  is  stubborn  and  will  not  go,  you  can  make  him 
move  by  pulling  his  head  around  to  one  side,  when 
whipping  would  have  no  efiect.  And  turning  around 
a  few  times  will  make  him  dizzy,  and  then  by  letting 
hull  have  his  head  straight,  and  giving  him  a  little 
touch  with  the  whip,  he  will  go  along  without  any 
trouble. 

Never  use  martingales  on  a  colt  when  you  first  ride 
him ;  every  movement  of  the  hand  should  go  right  to 
the  bit,  in  the  direction  in  which  it  is  applied  to  the 
reins,  without  a  martingale  to  change  the  direction  of 
the  force  applied.  You  can  guide  the  colt  much  bet- 
ter -without  them,  and  learn  him  the  use  of  the  bit  in 
much  less  time.  Besides,  martingales  would  j^revent 
you  from  pulling  his  head  around  if  he  should  try  to 
jump. 

After  the  colt  has  been  rode  until  he  is  gentle  and 
well  accustomed  to  the  bit,  you  may  find  it  an  advan- 
tage if  he  carries  his  head  too  high,  or  his  nose  too  far 
out,  to  put  martingales  on  him. 

You  should  be  careful  not  to  ride  your  colt  so  far  at 

first  as  to  heat,  worry  or  tire  him.     Get  off  as  soon  as 

you  see  he  is  a  little  fatigued ;  gentle  him  and  let  him 

rest ;  this  will  make  Mm  kind  to  you,  and  prevent  him 

*rom  getting  stubborn  or  mad. 


76  The  Horse  Farrier. 

THE   PROPER   WAY  TO   BIT   A   COLT." 

Farmers  often  put  a  bitting  harness  on  a  colt  the 
first  thing  they  do  with  him,  buckling  uj)  the  bitting 
as  tight  as  they  can  draw  it,  to  make  him  carry  his 
head  high,  and  then  turn  him  out  in  a  lot  to  run  a  half 
day  at  a  time.  This  is  one  of  the  worst  punishments 
that  they  could  inflict  on  a  colt,  and  very  injurious  to 
a  young  horse  that  has  been  used  to  running  in  pasture 
with  his  head  down.  I  have  seen  colts  so  injured  in 
this  way  that  they  never  got  over  it. 

A  horse  should  be  well  accustomed  to  the  bit  before 
you  put  on  the  bitting  harness,  and  when  you  first  bit 
him  you  should  only  rem  his  head  up  that  point  Tj^here 
he  naturally  holds  it,  let  that  be  high  or  low ;  he  will 
soon  learn  that  he  cannot  lower  his  head,  and  that 
raisins:  it  a  little  will  loosen  the  bit  m  his  mouth.  This 
will  give  him  the  idea  of  raising  his  head  to  loosen  the 
bit,  and  then  you  can  draw  the  bitting  a  little  tighter 
every  time  you  put  it  on,  and  he  will  still  raise  his  head 
to  loosen  it;  by  this  means  you  will  gradually  get  his 
head  and  neck  in  the  position  you  want  him  to  carry 
it,  and  give  him  a  nice  graceful  carriage  without  hurt- 
ing him,  making  him  mad,  or  causing  his  mouth  to  get 
sore. 

If  you  put  the  bitting  on  very  tight  the  first  time, 
he  cannot  raise  his  head  enough  to  loosen  it,  but  will 
bear  on  it  all  the  time,  and  paw,  sweat,  and  throw 
himself.  Many  horses  have  been  killed  by  falling  back- 
ward with  the  bitting  on ;  their  heads  being  drawn  up, 
strike  the  ground  with  the  whole  weight  of  tlie  body. 
Horses  that  have  their  heads  drawn  up  tightly  should 
not  have  the  bitting  on  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes  at  a  time. 


Yicious  HAJiiTs.  77 

HOW   TO    DRIVE    A    HOKSE   THAT  IS  VERY    WILD    AXD 
HAS   ANY  VICIOUS   HABITS. 

Take  up  one  fore  foot  and  bend  his  knee  till  his  hoof 
is  bottom  upwards,  and  nearly  touching  his  body,  then 
slip  a  loop  over  his  knee,  and  up  until  it  comes  above 
the  pastern  joint  to  keej)  it  up,  being  careful  to  draw 
the  loop  together  between  the  hoof  and  pastern  joint 
^Wth  a  second  strap  of  some  kind,  to  prevent  the  loop 
from  slipping  dovm  and  coming  off.  This  will  leave  the 
horse  standing  on  three  legs ;  you  can  now  handle  him 
as  you  wish,  for  it  is  utterly  impossible  for  him  to  kick 
in  this  position.  There  is  something  in  this  oj^eration 
of  taking  u|)  one  foot  that  conquers  a  horse  quicker 
and  better  than  anything  else  you  can  do  to  him.  There 
is  no  process  in  the  world  equal,  to  break  a  kicking 
horse,  for  several  reasons.  First,  there  is  a  principle 
of  this  kind  in  the  nature  of  the  horse,  that  by  con- 
quering one  member  you  conquer,  to  a  great  extent, 
the  whole  horse. 

You  have,  perhaps,  seen  men  operate  upon  this  prin- 
ciple by  sewing  a  horse's  ears  together  to  prevent  him 
from  kicking.  I  once  saw  a  plan  given  in  a  newspaper 
to  make  a  bad  horse  stand  to  be  shod,  which  was  to 
fasten  down  one  ear.  There  was  no  reason  given  why 
you  should  do  so  ;  but  I  tried  it  several  times,  and 
thought  it  had  a  good  effect — though  I  would  not 
recommend  its  use,  especially  stitching  his  ears  togeth- 
er. The  only  benefit  arising  from  this  process  is,  that 
by  disarranging  his  eai's  we  draw  his  attention  to  them, 
and  he  is  not  so  apt  to  resist  the  shoeing.  By  tying 
up  one  foot  we  operate  on  the  same  principle,  to  a 
much  better  effect.     When  you  first  fasten  up  a  horse's 


18  The  Hokse  Farrieb. 

foot,  he  mil  sometimes  get  very  mad,  and  strike  with 
his  knee,  and  try  every  possible  way  to  get  it  down  ; 
but  he  cannot  do  that,  and  will  soon  give  up. 

This  will  conquer  him  better  than  anything  you  could 
do,  and  without  any  i^ossible  danger  of  hurting  himself, 
or  you  either,  for  you  can  tie  up  his  foot  and  sit  down 
and  look  at  him  until  he  gets  up.  When  you  find  that 
he  is  conquered,  go  to  him,  let  down  his  foot,  rub  his 
leg  with  your  hand,  and  let  him  rest  a  little,  then  put 
it  up  again.  Repeat  this  a  few  times,  always  putting 
up  the  same  foot,  and  he  will  soon  learn  to  travel  on 
three  legs  so  that  you  can  drive  him  some  distance. 
As  soon  as  he  gets  a  httle  used  to  this  way  of  travel- 
ling, put  on  your  harness,  and  hitch  him  to  a  sulky. 
If  he  is  the  worst  kicking  horse  that  ever  raised  a  foot 
you  need  not  be  feai'ful  of  his  doing  any  damage  while 
he  has  one  foot  up,  for  he  cannot  kick,  neither  can  he 
run  fast  enough  to  do  any  harm.  And  if  he  is  the 
wildest  horse  that  ever  had  harness  on,  and  has  run 
away  every  time  he  has  been  hitched,  you  can  now 
hitch  him  in  a  sulky  and  drive  him  as  you  please.  And 
if  he  wants  to  run,  you  can  let  him  have  the  lines,  and 
whip  too,  with  perfect  safety,  for  he  can  go  but  a  slow 
gait  on  three  legs,  and  wiU  soon  be  tired  and  willing  to 
stop ;  only  hold  him  enough  to  guide  him  in  the  right 
direction,  and  he  will  soon  be  tired,  and  willing  to  stop 
at  the  word.  Thus  you  wiU  effectually  cure  him  at 
once  of  any  further  notion  of  rimning  off.  Kicking 
horses  have  always  been  the  dread  of  everybody ;  you 
always  hear  men  say,  when  they  speak  about  a  bad 
horse,  "  I  don't  care  what  he  does,  so  he  don't  kick.'* 
This  new  method  is  an  effective  cure  for  this  worst  of 


Kicking  Hokses.  79 

all  habits.  There  are  plenty  of  ways  by  which  yon 
can  hitch  a  kicking  horse,  and  force  him  to  go,  though 
he  kicks  all  the  time ;  but  this  don't  have  any  good 
effect  towards  breaking  him,  for  we  know  that  horses 
kick  because  they  are  afraid  of  what  is  behind  them, 
and  when  they  kick  against  it  and  it  hurts  them,  they 
will  only  kick  the  harder,  and  this  will  hurt  them  still 
more,  and  make  them  remember  the  scrape  much  longer, 
and  make  it  still  more  difficult  to  persuade  them  to 
have  any  confidence  in  anything  dragging  behind  them 
ever  after. 

By  this  new  method  you  can  hitch  them  to  a  rattling 
sulky,  plow,  wagon,  or  anything  else  in  its  worst  shape. 
They  may  be  frightened  at  first,  but  cannot  kick,  or 
do  anything  to  hurt  themselves,  and  will  soon  find  that 
you  do  not  intend  to  hurt  them,  and  then  they  will  not 
care  anything  more  about  it.  You  can  then  let  down 
the  leg,  and  drive  along  gently  without  any  further 
trouble.  By  this  new  process  a  bad  licking  horse  can 
be  learned  to  go  gentle  in  harness  in  a  few  hours  time. 

ON   BALKING. 

Horses  know  nothing  about  balking,  only  as  they  are 
brought  into  it  by  improper  management ;  and  when  a 
horse  balks  in  harness,  it  is  generally  from  some  mis- 
management, excitement,  confusion,  or  from  not  know- 
ing how  to  pull,  but  seldom  from  any  unwilHngness  to 
perform  all  that  he  understands.  High  spirited,  free- 
going  horses,  are  the  most  subject  to  balking,  and  only 
so  because  drivers  do  not  properly  understand  how  to 
manage  this  kind.  A  free  horse  in  a  team  may  be  so 
anxious  to  go,  that  when  he  hears  the  word  he  will 


%0  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

start  with  a  jump,  which  will  not  move  the  load,  but 
give  him  such  a  severe  jerk  on  the  shoulders,  that  he 
wiU  fly  back  and  stoj)  the  other  horse  ;  the  teamster 
will  continue  his  drivuig  without  any  cessation,  and  by 
the  time  he  has  the  slow  horse  started  again,  he  will 
find  the  free  horse  has  made  another  jump,  and  again 
flew  back ;  and  now  he  has  them  both  badly  balked, 
and  so  confused  that  neither  of  them  knows  what  is  the 
matter,  or  how  to  start  the  load.  Next  will  come  the 
slashing  and  crashing  of  the  whip,  and  hallooing  of  the 
driver  till  something  is  broken,  or  he  is  through  with 
his  course  of  treatment.  But  what  a  mistake  the 
driver  commits  by  whipping  his  horse  for  this  act ! 
Reason  and  common  sense  should  teach  him  that  the 
horse  was  willing  and  anxious  to  go,  but  did  not  now 
how  to  start  the  load.  And  should  he  whip  him  for 
that  ?  If  so,  he  should  whip  him  again  for  not  know- 
ing how  to  tali?  A  man  that  wants  to  act  with  any 
rationality  or  reason,  should  not  fly  into  a  passion,  but 
should  always  think  before  he  strikes.  It  takes  a  steady 
pressure  against  the  collar  to  move  a  load,  and  you  can- 
not expect  him  to  act  with  a  steady,  determined  pur- 
pose while  you  are  whipping  him.  There  is  hardly  one 
balking  horse  in  five  hundred  that  will  pull  true  from 
whipping ;  it  is  only  adding  fuel  to  fire,  and  will  make 
them  more  liable  to  balk  another  time.  You  always 
see  horses  that  have  been  balked  a  few  times,  turn  their 
heads  and  look  back,  as  soon  as  they  are  a  little  frus- 
trated. This  is  because  they  have  been  whipped,  and 
are  afraid  of  Avhat  is  behind  them.  This  is  an  invari- 
able rule  with  balked  horses,  just  as  much  as  it  is  for 


Balking.  81 

them  to  look  around  at  theb  sides  when  they  have  the 
bots.  In  either  case,  they  are  deserving'  of  the  same 
sympathy,  and  the  same  kind,  rational  treatment. 

When  your  horse  balks,  or  is  a  little  excited,  if  he 
wants  to  start  quickly,  or  looks  around,  and  don't  want 
to  go,  there  is  something  wrong,  and  he  needs  kind 
treatment  immediately.  Caress  him  kindly,  and  if  he 
don't  miderstand  at  once  what  you  want  him  to  do, 
he  will  not  be  so  much  excited  as  to  jump  and  break 
things,  and  do  every  thing  wrong  through  fear. — 
As  long  as  you  are  calm,  and  can  keep  down  the  ex- 
citement of  the  horse,  there  are  ten  chances  to  have 
him  understand  you,  where  there  would  not  be  one  un- 
der hai-sh  treatment,  and  then  the  little  flare-up  would 
not  carry  with  it  any  unfavorable  recollections,  and  he 
would  soon  forget  all  about  it,  and  learn  to  pull  true. 
Almost  every  wrong  act  the  horse  commits,  is  from 
mismanagement,  fear  or  excitment :  one  harsh  word 
will  so  excite  a  nervous  horse  as  to  increase  his  pulse 
ten  beats  in  a  minute.* 


*Remaeks.— In  the  first  place,  never  teach  your  horse  to  balk,  by  giving  him  a 
greater  load  than  he  can  carry,  or  requiring  him  to  go  up  too  steep  a  hill  without 
permitting  him  to  stop.  If  you  tell  him  to  stop,  in  going  up  a  steep  hill,  it  13 
better  than  to  allow  him  to  do  it  of  his  own  accord.  If  he  finds  he  can  stop  of 
his  own  will,  and  start  when  he  pleases,  he  will  soon  learn  to  do  It  when  he 
ought  not  to.  If  at  any  time  he  stops  without  your  stopping  him,  give  him  a 
sharp  cut,  and  make  him  go  on,  even  if  you  think  he  ought  to  stop  at  that  very 
place ;  but  soon  yourself  give  him  an  opportunity  to  stop.  This  will  teach  him 
that  he  is  to  stop  only  at  your  will,  and  that  you  are  not  unreasonable  in  your 
demands.  I  believe  that  all  balky  horses  are  in  the  first  instance  taught  to 
balk  by  their  careless  and  inconsiderate  owners,  who  overload  them,  and  allow 
them  to  stop  or  go  according  to  their  own  will.  Once  a  horse  finds  he  can  stop 
at  will  without  reproof,  he  will  stop,  perhaps,  on  a  smooth  road,  or  in  the  mid- 
dle of  a  village,  or  on  the  street  of  a  city,  whore  you  will  be  mortified  as  well  as 
discommoded. 


82  The  Horse  Farriek. 

When  we  remember  that  we  are  dealing  with  dumb 
brutes,  and  reflect  how  difficult  it  must  be  for  them  to 
understand  our  motions,  signs  and  language,  we  should 
never  get  out  of  patience  with  them,  because  they 
don't  understand  us,  or  wonder  at  their  doing  things 
wrong.  With  all  our  mtellect,  if  we  were  placed  in 
the  horse's  situation,  it  would  be  difficult  for  us  to  un- 
derstand the  drivhig  of  some  foreigner,  of  foreign  ways 
and  foreign  language.  We  should  always  recollect 
that  our  ways  and  language  are  unknown  to  the  horse, 
and  should  try  to  practice  what  we  could  understand, 
were  we  the  horse,  endeavoring  by  some  simple  means 
to  work  on  his  understanding  rather  than  on  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  his  body.  All  balked  horses  can  be 
started  true  and  steady  in  a  few  minutes'  time  :  they 
are  willing  to  pull  as  soon  as  they  know  how,  and  I 
never  yet  found  a  balked  horse  that  I  could  not  teach 
to  start  his  load  in  fifteen,  and  often  less  than  three 
minutes'  time. 

Almost  any  team,  when  first  balked,  will  start  kind- 


Before  resorting  to  severe  means  the  cause  should  be  ascertained.  The  horse 
may  be  overtaxed,  his  withers  may  be  wrung,  or  he  may  be  insupportably  galled 
or  pained  by  the  harness.  These  things  should  be  examined  into,  and,  if  possible, 
rectified;  for,  under  such  circumstances,  cruelty  may  produce  obstinacy  and  vice, 
but  not  willing  obedience.  A  horse  whose  shoulders  are  raw,  or  have  frequently 
been  so,  will  not  start  with  a  cold  collar.  When  the  collar  has  acquired  the 
warmth  of  the  parts  on  which  it  presses,  the  animal  will  go  without  reluctance. 
Some  determined  balkers  have  been  reformed  by  constantly  wearing  a  false  col- 
lar, or  strip  of  cloth  round  the  shoulders,  so  that  the  coldness  of  the  usual  collar 
should  never  be  felt ;  and  others  have  been  cured  of  balking  by  keeping  the  col- 
lar on  night  and  day,  for  the  animal  is  not  able  to  lie  down  completely  at  full 
length,  which  the  tired  horse  is  always  glad  to  do.  When  a  horse  balks,  not  at 
starting,  bat  while  doing  his  work,  it  has  sometimes  been  useful  to  line  the  collar 
with  cloth  instead  of  leather;  the  perspiration  is  i-eadily  absorbed,  the  substance 
which  presses  on  the  shoulder  is  softer,  and  it  may  be  far  more  accurately  eased 
off  at  a  tender  place. 


Balky  Horses.  83 

ly,  if  you  let  them  stand  five  or  ten  minutes,  as  though 
there  was  nothing  wrong,  and  then  speak  to  them  with 
a  steady  voice,  and  turn  them  a  httle  to  the  right  or 
left,  so  as  to  get  them  both  in  motion  before  they  feel 
the  pinch  of  the  load.  But  if  you  want  to  start  a  team 
that  you  are  not  drivuig  yourself,  that  has  been  balked, 
fooled,  and  whipped  for  some  time,  go  to  them  and  * 
hang  the  lines  on  their  hames,  or  fasten  them  to  the 
wagon,  so  that  they  will  be  perfectly  loose  :  make  the 
driver  and  spectators,  (if  there  are  any,)  stand  off 
some  distance  to  one  side,  so  as  not  to  attract  the  at- 
tention of  the  horses ;  loosen  their  check-reins,  so  that 
they  can  get  theu-  heads  down,  if  they  choose ;  let 
them  stand  a  few  minutes  in  this  condition,  until  you 
see  that  they  are  a  Httle  composed.  While  they  are 
standing,  you  should  be  about  their  heads,  gentling 
them :  it  will  make  them  a  httle  more  kind.  When 
you  are  ready  to  start,  stand  before  them,  and  as  you 
seldom  have  but  one  ballsy  horse  ia  a  team,  get  as 
near  in  front  of  him  as  you  can,  and  if  he  is  too  fast  for 


But  what  shall  we  do  with  a  horse  who  has  thoroughly  learned  to  balk,  and 
whom  whipping  only  hardens?  Desperate  remedies  should  sometimes  be  used 
for  desperate  caaes,  and  you  may  in  such  cases  either  kill  your  horse  as  not  be- 
ing worthy  the  oats  you  give  him,  or  you  may  fasten  him  to  a  strong  carriage, 
put  on  a  strong  harness  and  reins,  and  if  he  balks,  set  fire  to  a  bunch  of  shavings 
or  a  newspaper  at  his  heels,  or  a  bunch  of  fire  crackers  ;  or  exciting  his  spirits  by 
the  application  of  spirits  of  turpentine  under  his  tail ;  he  is  bound  to  go  in  such 
case — perhaps  too  fast  for  you — but  of  this  you  must  run  your  risk.  It  is  a  des- 
perate remedy,  but  when  kindness  and  g!Jod  treatment  do  not  succeed,  such  a 
remedy  will  succeed  better,  and  is  more  humane  than  beating,  unmerciful  whip- 
ping, &c.,  which  seldom  succeed  at  all. 

In  India  when  a  horse  can  and  will  not  draw,  instead  of  whipping,  spurring 
or  burning  him,  they  quietly  get  a  rope  and  attaching  it  to  one  of  the  fore  feet, 
one  or  two  men  take  hold  of  it,  and  advancing  a  few  paces  ahead  of  the  horse , 
pull  their  best.  No  matter  how  stubborn  the  animal  may  be,  a  few  doses  of  such 
treatment  effects  a  perfect  cure. 


84  The  Horse  Faerier. 

the  other  horse  let  his  nose  come  against  your  breast : 
this  will  keep  him  steady,  for  he  will  go  slow  rather 
than  run  on  you ;  turn  them  gently  to  the  right,  with- 
out letting  them  pull  on  the  traces,  as  far  as  the  tongue 
will  let  them  go ;  stop  them  with  a  kind  word,  gentle 
them  a  little,  and  then  turn  them  back  to  the  left,  by 
>the  same  process.  You  mil  have  them  under  your 
control  by  this  time,  and  as  you  turn  them  again  to 
the  right,  steady  them  in  the  collar,  and  you  can  take 
them  where  you  please. 

There  is  a  quicker  process  that  will  start  a  balky 
horse,  but  not  so  sure.  Stand  him  a  little  ahead,  so 
that  his  shoulders  will  be  against  the  collar,  and  then 
take  up  one  of  his  fore  feet  m  your  hand,  and  let  the 
driver  start  them,  and  when  the  weight  comes  against 
his  shoulders,  he  will  try  to  step  :  then  let  him  have  his 
foot,  and  he  will  go  right  along.  If  you  want  to  break 
a  horse  from  balking,  that  has  long  been  in  that  habit, 
you  ought  to  set  apart  a  half  a  day  for  that  purpose. — 
Put  him  by  the  side  of  some  steady  horse  ;  have  check- 
lines  on  them  ;  tie  up  all  the  traces  and  straps,  so  that 
there  will  be  nothing  to  excite  them ;  do  not  rein  them 
up,  but  let  them  have  their  heads  loose.  Walk  them 
about  together  for  some  time  as  slowly  and  lazily  as 
possible ;  stop  often  and  go  to  your  balky  horse  and 
gentle  him.  Do  not  take  any  whip  about  him,  but 
keep  him  just  as  quiet  as  you  can.  He  will  soon  learn 
to  start  off  at  the  word,  and  stop  whenever  you  tell 
him. 

As  soon  as  he  performs  right,  hitch  him  in  an  empty 
wagon  ;  have  it  stand  in  a  favorable  position  for  start- 
ing.    It  would  be  well  to  shorten  the  stay-chain   be- 


Breaking.  86 

hind  the  steady  horse,  so  that,  if  it  is  necessary,  he 
can  take  the  weight  of  tlie  wagon  the  first  time  you 
start  them.  Do  not  drive  but  a  few  rods  at  first : 
watch  your  balky  horse  closely,  and  if  you  see  that  he 
is  getting  excited,  stop  him  before  he  stops  with  his 
own  accord  ;  caress  him  a  little,  and  start  again.  As 
soon  as  they  go  well,  drive  them  over  a  small  hill  a 
few  times,  and  then  over  a  large  one,  occasionally  ad- 
ding a  little  load.  This  process  will  make  any  horse 
true  to  pull. 

TO    BREAK   A   HORSE   TO    HARNESS. 

Take  him  in  a  tight  stable,  as  you  did  to  ride  him ; 
take  the  harness  and  go  through  the  same  process  that 
you  did  with  the  saddle,  until  you  get  him  familiar 
with  them,  so  that  you  can  put  them  on  and  rattle 
them  about  without  his  carmg  for  them.  As  soon  as 
he  will  bear  this,  put  on  the  Imes,  caress  him  as  you 
draw  them  over  him,  and  drive  him  about  in  the  stable 
till  he  will  bear  them  over  his  hips.  The  lines  are  a 
great  aggravation  to  some  colts,  and  often  frighten 
them  as  much  as  if  you  were  to  raise  a  whip  over  them. 
As  soon  as  he  is  famiUar  with  the  harness  and  lines, 
take  him  out  and  put  him  by  the  side  of  a  gentle  horse, 
and  go  through  the  same  process  that  you  did  with  the 
balkmg  horse.  Always  use  a  bridle  without  blinds, 
when  you  are  breaking  a  horse  to  harness. 

HOW   TO    HITCH    A   HORSE    IN   A   SULKY. 

Lead  him  to  and  around  it ;  let  him  look  at  it,  touch 
it  with  his  nose,  and  stand  by  it  till  he  does  not  care 
for  it ;  then  pull  the  shafts  a  little  to  the  left,  and  stand 
your  horse  in  front  of  the  off  wheel.     Let  some  one 


86  The  Horbe  Fareier. 

stand  on  the  right  side  of  the  horse,  and  hold  him  by 
the  bit,  while  you  stand  on  the  left  side,  facing  the 
sulky.  This  will  keep  him  straight.  Run  your  left 
hand  back,  and  let  it  rest  on  his  hip,  and  lay  hold  of 
the  shafts  with  your  right,  bringing  them  up  very 
gently  to  the  left  hand,  which  still  remains  stationary. 
Do  not  let  anything  but  your  arm  touch  his  back,  and 
as  soon  as  you  have  the  shafts  square  over  him,  let  the 
person  on  the  opposite  side  take  hold  of  one  of  them, 
and  lower  them  very  gently  to  the  shaft-bearers.  Be 
very  slow  and  dehberate  about  hitching ;  the  longer 
time  you  take, the  better,  as  a  general  thing.  When 
you  have  the  shafts  placed,  shake  them  slightly,  so  that 
he  will  feel  them  against  each  side.  As  soon  as  he  will 
bear  them  without  scaring,  fasten  your  braces,  etc., 
and  start  him  along  very  slowly.  Let  one  man  lead 
the  horse,  to  keep  him  gentle,  while  the  other  grad- 
ually works  back  with  the  lines  till  he  can  get  behind 
and  drive  him.  After  you  have  driven  him  in  this  way 
a  short  distance,  you  can  get  mto  the  sulky  and  all 
will  go  right.  It  is  very  important  to  have  your  horse 
go  gently,  when  you  first  hitch  him.  After  you  have 
walked  him  awhile,  there  is  not  half  so  much  danger 
of  his  scaring.  Men  do  very  wrong  to  jump  behind  a 
horse  to  drive  him  as  soon  as  they  have  him  hitched. 
There  are  too  many  things  for  him  to  comprehend  all 
at  once.  The  shafts,  the  lines,  the  harness  and  the 
ratthng  of  the  sulky,  all  tend  to  scare  him,  and  he  must 
be  made  familiar  with  them  by  degrees.  If  your  horse 
is  very  wild,  I  would  advise  you  to  put  up  one  foot  the 
first  time  you  drive  him. 


Make  a  Horse  Lie  Down.  87 

HOTV   TO   MAKE    A    HOESE   LIE   DOWN. 

Every  thing  that  we  want  to  learn  the  horse  must 
be  commenced  in  some  way  to  give  him  an  idea  of  what 
you  want  him  to  do,  and  then  be  repeated  till  he  learns 
it  perfectly.  To  make  a  horse  lie  down,  bend  his  left 
fore  leg,  and  slip  a  loop  over  it,  so  that  he  cannot  get 
it  dowm.  Then  put  a  cu-smgle  around  his  body,  and 
fasten  one  end  of  a  long  strap  around  the  other  fore 
leg,  just  above  the  hoof.  Place  the  other  end  under 
the  cirsingle,  so  as  to  keep  the  strap  in  the  right  direc- 
tion ;  take  a  short  hold  of  it  with  your  right  hand ; 
stand  on  the  left  side  of  the  horse  ;  grasp  the  bit  in  your 
left  hand,  pull  steadily  on  the  strap  with  your  right ; 
hear  against  his  shoulder  till  you  cause  him  to  move. 
As  soon  as  he  lifts  his  weight,  your  jiulling  will  raise 
the  other  foot,  and  he  will  have  to  come  on  his  other 
knee.  Keep  the  strap  tight  in  your  hand,  so  tiiat  he 
<^nnot  straighten  his  leg  if  he  raises  up.  Held  him  in 
this  position,  and  turn  his  head  towards  you ;  bear 
against  his  side  with  your  shoulder,  not  hard,  but  with 
a  steady,  equal  j^ressure,  and  in  about  ten  miputes  he 
will  lie  down.  As  soon  as  he  lays  down,  he  will  be 
completely  conquered,  and  you  can  handle  him  as  you 
please.  Take  oiF  the  straps,  and  straighten  out  his  legs ; 
rub  him  lightly  about  the  face  and  neck  with  your 
hand,  the  way  the  hair  lays ;  handle  all  his  legs,  and 
after  he  has  lain  ten  or  twenty  minutes,  let  him  get  up 
again.  After  restmg  him  for  a  short  time,  make  him 
lie  down  as  before.  Repeat  the  operation  three  or  four 
times,  which  w^ill  be  sufficient  for  one  lesson.  Give 
him  two  lessons  a  day,  and  when  you  have  given  him 
four  lessons,  he  will  lie  down  by  taking  hold  of  one 


88  The  Hoese  Faeeier. 

foot.  As  soon  as  he  is  broken  to  lie  down  in  this  "way, 
tap  him  on  the  opposite  leg  with  a  stick  when  you  take 
hold  of  his  foot,  and  in  a  few  days  he  will  lie  down  from 
the  mere  motion  of  the  stick» 

HOW   TO    MAKE   A   HOESE    FOLLOW   YOU. 

Turn  him  into  a  large  stable  or  shed,  where  there  is 
no  chance  to  get  out,  with  a  halter  or  bridle  on.  Go 
to  him  and  gentle  him  a  little,  take  hold  of  his  halter, 
and  turn  him  towards  you,  at  the  same  time  touching 
him  lightly  over  the  hips  with  a  long  whip.  Lead  him 
the  length  of  the  stable,  rubbing  him  on  the  neck,  say- 
ing in  a  steady  tone  of  voice,  as  you  lead  him,  come 
along  boy !  or  use  his  name  instead  of  boy,  if  you 
choose.  Every  time  you  turn,  touch  him  slightly  with 
the  whip,  to  make  hun  step  up  close  to  you,  and  then 
caress  him  with  your  hand.  He  will  soon  learn  to  hurry 
up,  to  escape  the  whip  and  be  caressed,  and  you  can 
make  him  follow  you  around  without  taking  hold  of 
the  halter.  If  he  should  stoj)  and  turn  from  you,  give 
him  a  few  sharp  cuts  about  the  hind  legs,  and  he  will 
Boon  turn  his  head  towards  you,  when  you  must  always 
caress  him.  A  few  lessons  of  this  kind  will  make  him 
run  after  you,  when  he  sees  the  motion  of  the  whip : 
in  twenty  or  thirty  minutes,  he  will  follow  you  about 
the  stable.  After  you  have  given  him  two  or  three 
lessons  in  the  stable,  take  hun  out  into  a  small  lot,  and 
tram  him,  and  fi'om  thence  you  can  take  him  into  the 
road,  and  make  him  follow  you  anywhere,  and  run  af- 
ter you. 

HOW   TO   MAKE   A   HOESE   STAND    WITHOUT   HOLDING. 

After  you  have  well  broken  him  to  follow  you,  stand 


Stand  Without  Holding.  89 

hiri\  in  the  centre  of  the  stable  ;  begin  at  his  head  to 
caress  him,  gradually  working  backwards.  If  he  move, 
give  him  a  cut  with  the  whip,  and  put  him  back  to  the 
same  spot  from  whence  he  started.  If  he  stands,  ca- 
ress him  as  before,  and  continue  gentling  him  in  this 
way  until  you  can  get  round  him  without  making  him 
move.  Keep  walking  around  •  him,  increasing  your 
pace,  and  only  touching  him  occasionally.  Enlarge 
your  circle  as  you  walk  around,  and  if  he  then  moves, 
give  him  another  cut  with  the  whip,  and  put  him  back 
to  his  place.  If  he  stands,  go  to  him  frequently,  and 
caress  him,  and  then  walk  around  him  again.  Do  not 
keep  him  in  one  position  too  long  at  a  time,  but  make 
him  come  to  you  occasionally,  and  follow  around  in  the 
stable.  Then  stand  him  in  another  place,  and  proceed 
as  above.  You  should  not  train  your  horse  more  than 
half  an  hour  at  a  time. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


GENERAL  MANAGEMENT,  ETC.,  OF  THE  HOKSE. 


STABLING. 

This  matter  has  not  received  the  attention  that  its 
importance  demands.  A  situation  should  be  selected 
which  will  admit  of  draining,  sheltered  from  the  coldest 
winds,  and  easy  of  access.  In  damp,  unventilated 
stables,  you  will  be  the  most  likely  to  find  such  dis- 
eases as  mange,  coughs,  bad  eyes,  greasy  heels,  swelled- 
legs,  glanders,  farcy,  and  rough,  dry,  staring  coat. — 
Stables  should  be  about  sixteen  to  eighteen  feet  in 
width,  and  have  six  feet  for  each  stall.  It  is  well  to 
have  a  door  at  each  end  when  convenient,  for  the 
purpose  of  ventilation,  when  necessary.  It  should  be 
about  eight  by  five  feet.  Accidents  often  occur  from 
having  it  too  narrow ;  it  may  be  double.  It  should 
be  so  hung  as  to  swing  back  of  its  own  accord. 
The  edges  of  the  posts  should  be  rounded ;  the  ceiling 
should  be  at  least  nine  feet  in  height. 

The  stable  should  be  so  contrived  that  the  urine 
shall  quickly  run  off,  and  the  offensive  and  injurious 
vapor  from  decomposing  fluid  and  the  litter  will  thus 


Am   AND   LiTTEE.  91 

be  materially  lessened  ;  but  if  this  is  effected  by  means 
of  gutters  and  a  descending  floor,  the  descent  must  be 
barely  suflicient  to  cause  the  fluid  to  escape,  as,  if  the 
toes  are  kept  higher  than  the  heels,  it  will  lead  to 
lameness,  and  is  also  a  frequent  cause  of  contraction  of 
the  foot.  Stalls  of  this  kind  certainly  do  best  for 
mares ;  but  for  horses  we  much  prefer  those  with  a 
grating  in  the  centre,  and  a  slight  inclination  of  the 
floor  on  every  side  towards  the  middle.  A  short 
branch  may  communicate  with  a  larger  drain,  by 
means  of  which  the  urine  may  be  carried  off  to  a 
reservoir  outside  the  stable.  Traps  are  now  contrived, 
and  may  be  procured  at  little  expense,  by  means  of 
w^hich  neither  any  offensive  smell  nor  current  of  air 
can  pass  through  the  grating. 

AIR   AND   LITTEE. 

The  breathing  of  pure  air  is  necessary  to  the  ex- 
istence and  the  health  of  man  and  beast.  It  is  com- 
paratively lately  that  this  has  been  admitted  even  in 
the  management  of  our  best  stables. 

If  the  stable  is  close,  the  air  will  not  only  be  hot,  but 
foul.  The  breathing  of  every  animal  contaminates  it ; 
and  when,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  with  every 
aperture  stopped,  it  passes  again  and  again  through 
the  lungs,  the  blood  cannot  undergo  its  proper  and 
healthy  change  ;  digestion  will  not  be  so  perfectly  per- 
formed, and  all  the  functions  of  life  are  injured. 

Every  stable  should  possess  within  itself  a  certain 
degree  of  ventilation.  The  cost  of  this  would  be 
trifling,  and  its  saving  in  the  preservation  of  valuable 
animals  will  be  immense.     The  appertures  need  not 


92  The  Hoese  Farkier. 

be  large,  and  the  whole  may  be  so  contrived  that  no 
direct  current  of  air  will  fall  on  the  horse. 

The  temperature  of  a  stable  should  seldom  exceed 
VO*^  in  the  summer  or  sink  below  40°  or  50°  in  the 
winter. 

Litter  should  be  frequently  removed.  The  early  ex- 
trication of  gas  shows  the  rapid  f>utrefaction  of  the 
urine  ;  and  the  consequence  of  which  will  be  the  rapid 
putrefaction  of  the  Utter  that  has  been  moistened  by  it. 
Everything  hastening  to  decomposition  should  be  care- 
fully removed  where  life  and  health  are  to  be  pre- 
seiwed.  The  litter  that  has  been  much  wetted  or  at 
all  softened  by  the  urine,  and  is  beginning  to  decay, 
should  be  swept  away  every  morning ;  the  greater 
part  of  the  remainder  may  then  be  piled  away  under 
the  manger  ;  a  Httle  being  left  to  prevent  the  painful 
and  injurious  pressure  of  the  feet  on  the  hard  pave- 
ment during  the  day.  The  soiled  and  soaked  portion 
of  that  which  was  left  should  be  removed  at  night. 
In  the  better  kind  of  stables,  however,  the  stalls  should 
be  completely  emptied  every  morning. 

^o  heap  of  fermenting  dung  should  be  suffered  to 
remain  during  the  day  in  the  corner  or  in  any  part  of 
the  stable. 

GROOMING. 

Of  this,  much  need  not  be  said  to  the  agriculturist, 
since  custom,  and  apparently  without  ill  effect,  has  al- 
lotted so  little  of  the  comb  and  brush  to  the  farmer's 
horse.  The  animal  that  is  worked  all  day,  and  turned 
out  at  night,  requires  little  more  to  be  done  to  him 
than  to  have  the  dirt  brushed  off  his  limbs.  Regular 
grooming,  by  rendering  his  skin  more  sensible  to  the 


Gkoomino.  93 

alternation  of  temperature,  and  the  inclemency  of  the 
weatlier,  would  be  i:)rejudicial.  The  horse  that  is  alto- 
gether turned  out,  needs  no  grooming.  The  dandruff, 
or  scurfy  which  accumulates  at  the  roots  of  the  hair,  is 
a  jjrovision  of  nature  to  defend  him  f'-om  the  wmd  and 
the  cold. 

The  stable  horse,  however,  should  be  dressed  regular- 
ly every  day,  in  addition  to  the  grooming  that  is  neces- 
sary after  work. 

Whoever  would  be  convinced  of  the  benefit  of 
friction  to  the  horse's  skin,  and  to  the  horse  generally, 
needs  only  to  observe  the  effects  produced  by  weU 
hand-rubbing  the  legs  of  a  tired  horse.  While  every 
enlargement  subsides,  and  the  painful  stiffness  disap- 
pears, and  the  legs  attain  their  natural  warmth,  and 
become  fine,  the  animal  is  evidently  and  rapidly  re- 
viving ;  he  attacks  his  food  with  appetite,  and  then 
quietly  lies  down  to  rest. 

When,  however,  the  horse  is  changing  his  coat,  both 
the  curry-comb  and  the  brush  should  be  used  as  hght- 
ly  as  possible. 

Boiled  barley,  boiled  or  raw  linseed,  raw  carrots,  and 
boiled  turnips,  are  among  the  articles  of  food  that  lay 
the  hair,  and  soften  the  skin. 

Grooming  should  be  conducted  out  of  the  stable, 
whenever  practicable.  Mud  should  never  be  allowed 
to  dry  on  the  legs  or  feet.  They  should  be  got  cool, 
dry  and  clean,  by  washing,  scraping,  rubbmg  and  walk- 
ing a  heated  horse ;  and  they  should  never  be  left  in  a 
cold  draft,  when  warm.  Cleanliness  is  mdispensable  to 
the  health  of  a  ^' 


»rvi«c 


94  The  Horse  Fakriee, 

dressing  vicious  horses. 

Many  horses  are  rendered  vicious  to  clean,  by  the 
awkwardness,  timidity,  and  folly  of  the  keeper.  An 
awkward  man  gives  the  horse  more  jDain  than  ought  to 
attend  the  operation.  A  timid  man  allows  the  horse 
to  master  him,  and  a  mischievous  fellow  is  always  learn- 
ing him  tricks. 

Biting  may  be  prevented  by  putting  on  a  muzzle,  or 
by  tying  the  head  to  the  rack^  or  to  the  ring  outside 
of  the  stable.  When  reversed  in  the  stall,  the  head 
may  be  secured  by  the  pillar-reins.  A  muzzle  often 
deters  a  horse  from  attempting  to  bite,  but  some  will 
strike  a  man  to  the  ground^  though  they  cannot  seize 
him.  These  must  be  tied  up.  Many  harness-horses 
are  perfectly  quiet  while  they  are  bridled,  and  it  is  suf- 
ficient to  let  the  bridle  remain  on,  or  to  put  it  on,  till 
they  be  dressed.  Others,  again,  are  quite  safe  when 
blindfolded.  Kicking  horses  are  more  dangerous  than 
biters.  A  great  many  strike  out,  and  are  apt  to  injm-e 
an  awkward  groom ;  yet  they  are  not  so  bad  but  an 
expert  fellow  may  manage  them,  without  using  any 
restraint.  A  switch  held  always  in  the  hand,  in  view 
of  the  horse,  and  lightly  applied,  or  threatened  when 
he  attempts  to  strike,  will  render  others  comparatively 
docile.  A  few  permit  their  hind  quarters  to  be  cleaned 
while  their  clothes  are  on.  Some  there  are,  however, 
that  cannot  be  managed  so  easily.  They  strike  out ; 
those  especially  that  lead  idle  lives,  so  quickly  and  so 
mahciously,  that  the  groom  is  in  great  danger,  and 
cannot  get  his  work  properly  performed.  There  are 
two  remedies — the  arm-strap  and  the  twitch.*     Where 

*  See  page  T8. 


T)::'-:ssiNG  Viciouo  Horses.  95 

a;5.>thcr  m-\n  cannot  be  spared  to  assist,  one  of  the  fore 
legs  is  tied  up ;  the  knee  is  bent  till  the  foot  almost 
touclies  the  elbow,  and  a  broad  buckling-strap  is  ap- 
plied over  the  fore-arm  and  the  pastern.  The  horse 
then  stands  upon  three  legs,  and  the  groom  is  in  no 
danger  of  a  kick.  Until  the  horse  is  accustomed  to 
stand  in  this  way,  he  is  apt  to  throw  himself  down ; 
For  the  first  two  or  three  times,  the  leg  should  be  held 
up  by  a  man,  rather  than  tied  with  a  strap.  The  horse 
should  stand  on  a  thick  bed  of  htter,  so  that  he  may 
not  be  injured,  should  he  fall.  In  course  of  time,  he 
may  perhaps  become  quieter,  and  the  arm-strap  may 
be  throwm  aside.  It  should  not  be  applied  always  to 
the  same  leg,  for  it  produces  a  tendency  to  knuckling 
over  of  the  pastern,  which,  in  a  great  measure,  is 
avoided  by  tying  up  eacti  leg  alternately.  Even  the 
arm-strap  will  not  prevent  some  horses  from  kicking. 
Some  can  stand  on  two  legs,  and  some  will  throw  them- 
selves down.  The  man  must  just  coax  the  horse,  and 
get  over  the  operation  with  as  little  irritation  as  pos- 
sible. Upon  extraordinary  occasions,  the  t^vitch  may 
be  employed,  but  it  must  not  be  applied  every  day, 
otherwise  the  lip  upon  which  it  is  placed  becomes  in- 
flamed or  palsied.  When  restraint  must  be  resorted 
to,  the  man  should  be  doubly  active  in  getting  through 
his  work,  that  the  horse  may  not  be  kept  for  a  need- 
less length  of  time  in  pain.  He  may,  in  some  cases, 
give  the  horse  a  very  complete  dressing  when  he  is 
fatigued,  and  not  disposed  to  offer  much  resistance. 

EXERCISE. 

Our  observations  on  this  important  branch  of  sta- 
ble-management must  have  only  a  slight  reference  to 


96  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

the  agricultural  horse.  His  work  is  usually  regular, 
and  not  exhausting.  He  is  neitheh  predisposed  to  dis- 
ease by  idleness,  nor  worn  out  by  excessive  exertion. 
He,  like  his  master,  has  enough  to  do  to  keep  him  in 
health,  and  not  enough  to  distress  or  injure  him :  on 
the  contrary,  the  regularity  of  his  w©rk  prolongs  life 
to  an  extent  rarely  witnessed  in  the  stable.  Our  re- 
marks on  exercise,  then,  must  have  a  general  bearing. 
The  first  rule  we  would  lay  down  is,  that  every  horse 
should  have  daily  exercise.  The  animal  that,  with  the 
usual  stable-feeding,  stands  idle  for  three  or  four  days, 
as  is  the  case  in  many  establishments,  must  suffer.  He 
is  predisposed  to  fever,  or  to  grease,  or  most  of  all, 
diseases  of  the  foot ;  and  if,  after  three  or  four  days  of 
inactivity,  he  is  ridden  far  and  fast,  he  is  almost  sure 
to  have  inflammation  of  the  lungs  or  of  the  feet. 

A  stable-fed  horse  should  have  two  hours'  exercise 
every  day,  if  he  is  to  be  kept  free  fi-om  disease.  Noth- 
ing of  extraordinary,  or  even  of  ordinary  labor,  can  be 
effected  on  the  road  or  in  the  field,  without  sufiicient 
and  regular  exercise.  It  is  this  "alone  which  can  give 
energy  to  the  system,  or  develoj^e  the  j^owers  of  any 
animal. 

Exercise  should  be  somewhat  proportioned  to  the 
age  of  the  horse.  A  young  horse  requires  more  than 
an  old  one.  Nature  has  given  to  young  animals  of 
every  kind  a  disposition  to  acti\"ity  ;  but  the  exercise 
must  not  be  violent.  A  great  deal  depends  upon  the 
manner  in  which  it  is  given.  To  preserve  the  temper, 
and  to  promote -health,  it  should  be  moderate,  at  least 
at  the  beginning  and  the  termination.  The  rapid  trot, 
or  even  the  gallop,  may  be  resorted  to  in  the  middle 
of  the  exercise,  but  the  horse  should  be  brought  in  cool. 


Feeding.  0? 

FOOD. 

.  The  system  of  manger-feeding  is  becoming  general 
among  farmers.  There  are  few  horses  that  do  not 
habitually  waste  a  portion  of  their  hay ;  and  by  some 
the  greater  part  is  pulled  down  and  trampled  under 
foot,  in  order  first  to  cull  the  sweetest  and  best  locks, 
and  which  could  not  be  done  while  the  hay  was  en- 
closed in  the  rack.  A  good  feeder  will  afterwards  pick 
np  much  of  that  which  was  thrown  down ;  but  some 
of  it  must  be  soiled  and  rendered  disgusting,  and,  in 
many  cases,  one-third  of  this  division  of  their  food  is 
wasted.  Some  of  the  oats  and  feed  are  imperfectly 
chewed  by  all  horses,  and  scarcely  at  all  by  hungry  and 
greedy  ones.  The  appearance  of  the  dimg  will  sufii- 
ciently  evince  this. 

The  observation  of  this  induced  the  adoption  of 
manger-feeding,  or  of  mixing  a  portion  of  cut  feed  with 
the  grain.  By  this  means  the  animal  is  compelled  to 
chew  his  food.  He  cannot,  to  any  great  degree,  waste 
the  straw  or  hay ;  the  feed  is  too  hard  and  too  sharp 
to  be  swallowed  without  sufficient  mastication,  and, 
while  he  is  forced  to  grind  that  down,  the  oats  are 
ground  with  it,  and  yield  more  nourishment ;  the 
stomach  is  more  slowly  filled,  and  therefore  acts  better 
on  its  contents,  and  is  not  so  likely  to  be  overloaded  ; 
and  the  increased  quantity  of  saliva  thrown  out  in  the 
lengthened  maceration  of  the  food,  softens  it,  and 
makes  it  more  fit  for  digestion. 

Many  farmers  very  properly  grmd  the  oats  or  corn. 
The  whole  oat  is  apt  to  slip  out  of  the  feed  and  l5e  lost ; 
but  when  it  is  braised,  and  especially  if  the  feed  is  a 
little  wetted,  it  will  not  readily  separate ;  or,  should  a 


98  The  Hokse  Farriee. 

portion  of  it  escape  the  grinders,  it  will  be  partly  pre- 
pared for  digestion  by  the  act  of  bruising.  Horses  of 
quicker  draught,  exce]3t  they  are  naturally  disposed  to 
scour,  will  thrive  better  with  bruised  than  Avith  whole 
oats ;  for  a  greater  quantity  of  nutriment  will  be  ex- 
tracted from  the  food. 

For  the  agricultural  and  cart-horse,  eight  pounds  of 
oats  should  be  added  to  every  twenty  pounds  of  cut 
feed.  Thkty-four  or  thirty-six  j)ounds  of  the  mixture 
will  be  sufficient  for  any  moderate-sized  horse,  with 
fair,  or  even  hard  work.  The  dray  and  w^agon-horse 
may  require  forty  pounds.  Hay  in  the  rack  at  night 
is,  in  this  case,  supposed  to  be  omitted  altogether. 
The  rack,  however,  may  remain,  as  occasionally  useful 
for  the  sick  horse,  or  to  contain  tares  or  other  green 
feed. 

Horses  are  very  fond  of  this  provender.  The  major- 
ity of  them,  after  having  been  accustomed  to  it,  will 
leave  the  best  oats  given  to  them  alone,  for  the  sake 
of  the  mingled  cut  feed  and  grain.  We  would,  how- 
ever, caution  the  farmer  not  to  set  apart  too  much 
damaged  hay  for  the  manufacture  of  the  feed.  The 
horse  may  thus  be  induced  to  eat  that  which  he  would 
otherwise  refuse  ;  but  ii'  the  nourishing  property  of  the 
hay  has  been  impaired,  or  it  has  acquired  an  injurious 
principle,  the  annual  will  either  lose  condition,  or  be- 
come diseased.  For  old  horses,  and  for  those  with  de- 
fective teeth,  cut  feed  is  peculiarly  useful,  and  for  them 
should  be  broken  down  as  well  as  the  fodder. 

While  the  mixture  of  chaff  with  the  grain  prevents 
it  from  bemg  too  rapidly  devoured,  and  a  portion  of 
it  swallowed  whole,  and  therefore  the  stomach  is  not 


Cdt  Feed.  99 

too  loaded  with  that  on  which,  as  containing  the  most 
nutriment,  its  chief  digestive  power  should  be  exerted, 
yet,  on  tlie  whole,  a  great  deal  of  time  is  gained  by 
this  mode  of  feeding,  and  more  is  left  for  rest.  "When 
a  horse  comes  in  wearied  at  the  close  of  the  day,  it  oc- 
cupies, after  he  has  eaten  his  grain,  two  or  three  hours 
to  clear  his  rack.  On  tlie  system  of  manger-feeding, 
the  feed  being  already  cut  into  small  pieces,  and  the 
corn  and  oats  ground,  he  is  able  fully  to  satisfy  his 
appetite  in  an  hour  and  a  half.  Two  additional  hours 
are  therefore  devoted  to  rest.  This  is  a  circumstance 
deserving  of  much  consideration,  even  in  the  farmer's 
stable,  and  of  immense  consequence  to  stage-coach 
proprietors,  and  the  owner  of  every  hard-worked  horse. 

Manger-food  will  be  the  usual  support  of  the  farmer's 
horse  durmg  the  winter,  and  while  at  constant  or  oc- 
casional hard  work  ;  but  from  the  middle  of  April  to 
the  end  of  July,  he  may  be  fed  with  this  mixture  in  the 
day,  and  turned  out  at  night,  or  he  may  remain  out 
during  every  rest  day.  A  team  in  constant  employ 
should  not,  however,  be  suflered  to  be  out  at  night  after 
the  end  of  July. 

The  farmer  should  take  care  that  the  pasture  is  thick 
and  good. 

Every  barn  should  be  supplied  with  a  feed-cutter, 
and  it  should  be  kept  in  daily  use  ;  and  experience  has 
proved  that  eight  ears  of  corn  crushed,  is  better  feed, 
and  will  keep  a  horse  in  a  better  condition  than  twelve 
fed  to  him  without  crushing.  Thirty  or  forty  per  cent, 
is  saved  by  grinding  the  grain  and  mixing  it  with  cut 
feed.  They  should  be  fed  at  regulau  intervals,  their 
diet  often  changed,  and  no  more  given  at  a  time  than 
they  will  eat. 


100  The  Horse  Farkiee. 

Caeeots. — The  virtues  of  this  root  are  not  sufficient- 
ly known,  whether  as  contributing  to  the  strength  and 
endurance  of  the  sound  horse,  or  the  rapid  recovery  of 
the  sick  one.  To  the  healthy  horse,  they  should  be 
given  sliced  in  his  feed.  Half  a  bushel  will  be  a  fair 
daily  allowance.  There  is  little  provender  of  which 
the  horse  is  fonder.  The  following  account  of  the  val- 
ue of  the  carrot  is  not  exaggerated.  ''  This  root  is  held 
in  much  esteem.  There  is  none  better,  nor  perhaps  so 
good.  When  first  given,  it  is  slightly  diuretic  and 
laxative ;  but  as  the  horse  becomes  accustomed  to  it, 
these  efiects  cease  to  be  produced.  They  also  improve 
the  state  of  the  skin.  They  form  a  good  substitute  for 
grass,  and  an  excellent  alterative  for  horses  out  of  con- 
dition. To  sick  and  idle  horses,  they  render  grain  un- 
necessary. They  are  beneficial  in  all  chronic  diseases 
connected  with  breathing,  and  have  a  marked  influence 
upon  chronic  cough  and  broken  wind.  They  are  ser-' 
viceable  in  diseases  of  the  skin,  and  in  combination  with 
oats  they  restore  a  worn  horse  much  sooner  than  oats 
alone. 

Potatoes  have  been  given,  and  with  advantage,  in 
their  raw  state,  sliced  with  the  chaff;  but,  where  it 
has  been  convenient  to  boil  or  steam  them,  the  benefit 
has  been  far  more  evident.  Purging  has  then  rarely 
ensued.  Some  have  given  boiled  potatoes,  alone,  and 
horses,  instead  of  rejecting  them,  have  soon  preferred 
them  even  to  oats ;  but  it  is  better  to  mix  them  with 
the  usual  manger-feed,  in  the  proj)ortion  of  one  pound 
of  potatoes  to  two  and  a  half  jDounds  of  the  other  in- 
gredients. The  ^se  of  the  potatoe  must  depend  on  its 
cheapness,  and  the  facility  for  boiling  it.  Half  a  dozen 
horses  would  soon  repay  the  expense  of  a  steaming- 


Water.  101 

boiler,  in  the  saving  of  provender,  without  taking  into 
the  account  their  improved  condition  and  capabiUty 
for  work.  A  horse  fed  on  potatoes  should  have  his 
quantity  of  water  materially  curtailed. 

Prof.  Low  says  that  fifteen  pounds  of  potatoes  yield 
as  much  nourishment  as  four  pounds  and  a  half  of  oats. 
Von  Thayer  asserts  that  three  bushels  are  equal  to  112 
pounds  of  hay ;  and  Curwen,  who  tried  potatoes  ex- 
tensively in  the  feeding  of  horses,  says  that  an  acre 
goes  as  far  as  four  acres  of  hay. 

Water. — This  is  a  part  of  stable  management  little 
regarded  by  the  farmer.  He  lets  his  horses  loose 
morning  and  night,  and  they  go  to  the  nearest  pond  or 
brook,  and  drink  their  fill,  and  no  harm  results,  for 
they  obtain  that  kmd  of  water  which  nature  designed 
them  to  have,  in  a  manner  j^repared  for  them  by  some 
unknown  influence  of  the  atmosphere,  as  well  as  by 
the  deposition  of  many  saline  admixtures.  The  differ- 
ence between  hard  and  soft  water  is  known  to  every 
one.  In  soft  water,  soap  will  curdle,  vegetables  will 
not  boil  soft,  and  the  saccharme  matter  of  the  malt  can- 
not be  fully  obtained  in  the  process  of  brewing.  There 
is  nothing  m  wliich  the  different  effect  of  hard  and  soft 
water  is  so  evident  as  in  the  stomach  and  digestive  or- 
gans of  the  horse.  Hard  water,  drawn  fresh  from  the 
well,  will  assuredly  make  the  coat  of  a  horse  unaccus- 
tomed to  it  stare,  and  it  will  not  un^'equently  gripe 
and  otherwise  injure  him.  Instinct  or  experience  has 
made  even  the  horse  himself  conscious  of  this,  for  he 
will  never  drink  hard  water  if  he  has  access  to  soft  ; 
and  he  will  leave  the  most  transparent  and  pure  water 
of  the  well  for  a  ri^er,  although  the  stream  may  be 


102  The  Horse  Faeriee, 

turbid,  and  even  for  tlie  muddiest  pool.  He  is  injured, 
however,  not  so  much  by  the  hardness  of  the  well-wa- 
ter, as  by  its  coldness — particularly  by  its  coldness  in 
summer,  and  when  it  is  in  many  degrees  below  the 
temperature  of  the  atmosphere.  The  water  in  the 
brook  and  the  pond  being  warmed  by  long  exposure 
to  the  air,  as  well  as  having  become  soft,  the  horse 
drinks  freely  of  it  without  danger. 

If  the  horse  were  watered  three  times  a  day,  and  es- 
pecially in  summer,  he  would  often  be  saved  from  the 
sad  torture  of  thu'st,  and  from  many  a  disease. 

AGE. 

To  be  able  to  ascertain  the  age  of  a  horse,  with  tol- 
erable certainty,  is  a  subject  of  considerable  importance 
to  every  person  who  may  have  occasion  to  purchase. 

The  following  rules  will  enable  any  man  to  ascertain 
with  tolerable  certainty  the  age  of  any  horse.  Every 
horse  has  six  teeth  above  and  below  :  before  he  arrives 
at  the  age  of  three,  he  sheds  his  two  middle  teeth,  by 
the  young  teeth  rising  and  shoving  the  old  ones  out 
of  their  place.  When  he  arrives  at  the  age  of  three, 
he  sheds  one  more  on  each  side  of  the  middle  teeth ; 
when  four  years  old,  he  sheds  two  corner  and  the  last  of 
his  fore  teeth ;  between  four  and  five,  he  cuts  his  under 
tusks,  and  when  five,  will  cut  his  upper  tusks,  and  have 
a  mouth  full  and  comj^lete ;  his  teeth  appearing  to  have 
their  fuU  growth,  except  the  tusks,  and  will  be  even, 
regularly  placed,  and  pretty  mueli  grooved  on  the  in- 
side, with  hollows  of  a  very  dark  brown  color.  _  There 
is  also  a  very  plain  difierence  between  colt's  and  horse's 
teeth  ;  the  colt's  being  without  grooves  and  hollows, 
and  never  so  large  and  strong.     Some  horses  are  with- 


Age  of  IIousks.  103 

out  upper  tusks,  even  to  the  end  of  their  lives ;  but 
this  is  not  common.  The  appearance  of  the  lower  tusks, 
and  them  fully  grown,  is  the  most  certain  proof  tliat 
the  horse  is  five  years  old,  even  if  one  of  his  colt's  teeth 
remains  unshed.  At  six  years  old,  the  grooves  and 
hollows  in  a  horse's  mouth  begin  to  fill  up  a  little,  and 
their  tusks  have  their  full  growth,  with  their  points 
sharp,  and  ^  little  concave,  or  hollow  on  the  inside.  • 
At  seven  years  old,  the  grooves  and  holloWvS  will  be 
pretty  well  filled  below,  except  the  corner  teeth,  leav- 
ing, where  the  dark  brown  hollows  formerl}^  were,  lit- 
tle brown  spots.  At  eight,  the  whole  of  the  hollows 
and  grooves  are  filled  up,  and  you  see  the  appearance 
of  what  is  termed  smooth  heloio.  At  nine  years  old 
there  very  often  appears  a  small  bill  to  the  outside 
corner  teeth ;  the  pomt  of  the  tusk  is  worn  ofi",  and 
the  part  that  was  concave  begins  to  fill  up  and  become 
rounding ;  the  squares  of  the  middle  teeth  begin  to 
disapi^ear,  and  the  gums  leave  them  small  and  narrow 
at  the  top.  Dealers  in  horses  sometimes  drill  or  hol- 
low the  teeth  with  a  graver,  and  black  the  hollows  by 
using  a  hot  iron,  for  the  purpose  of  passuig  an  old  horse 
for  a  young  one,  upon  those  Avho  have  but  little  or  no 
experience  upon  the  subject.  But  a  discerning  eye 
will  readily  discover  the  cheat,  by  the  unnatural  shape 
and  blackness  of  the  hollows,  the  dullness  and  round 
ness  of  the  tusks,  together  with  the  want  of  squares  to 
the  front,  and  by  many  other  visible  marks,  which  de- 
note the  advanced  age  of  a  horse. 

Between  nine  and  ten  years  of  age,  a  horse  general- 
ly loses  the  marks  of  the  mouth,  though  there  are  a 
few  exceptions;  as  some  horses  retain  good  mouths  un- 


104  The  Horsk  Farriek. 

tD  they  are  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  old,  with  their 
teeth  white,  even,  and  regular,  and  many  other  marks 
of  freshness  and  vigor.  But  when  a  horse  grows  old, 
it  may  be  discovered  by  these  indications,  which  com- 
monly attend  old  age,  viz :  The  gums  wear  away  and 
leave  the  roots  of  the  teeth  long  and  slender;  the 
roots  grow  yellow,  and  often  brownish ;  the  bars  of 
the  mouth  (which  are  always  fleshy,  i:>lump,  and  dry,  in 
a  young  horse,  and  form  so  many  distinct,  firm  ridges,) 
in  an  old  horse  are  lean,  smooth,  and  are  covered  with 
saliva,  with  few  or  no  ridges.  The  eyes  of  a  young  horse 
appear  plump,  full,  and  lively  ;  the  lids  with  few  wrmk- 
les,  the  hollows  above  the  ball  small,  and  no  gray  hairs 
upon  the  brow,  unless  they  proceed  from  the  color  or 
marks  of  the  horse.  The  eyes  of  an  old  horse  appear 
sleepy,  dim  and  sunk,  and  the  lids  loose  and  very  much 
shriveled,  with  large  hollows,  and  the  brow  gray.  The 
countenance  of  a  yomig  horse  is  bold,  gay,  and  lively ; 
while  that  of  an  old  one  is  sad,  dejected,  and  melan- 
choly, unless  mounted,  and  artificial  means  used  to  give 
him  spirit. 

The  age  can  be  ascertained  by  a  wrinkle  over  the 
eye  after  they  are  nme  years  old.  A  wrinkle  comes  on 
the  eyelid  at  the  upper  corner  of  the  lower  lid,  and 
every  year  thereafter  he  has  one  well-defined  wrinkle 
for  each  year  over  nine.  If,  for  instance,  a  horse  has 
three  wrinkles,  he  is  twelve ;  if  four,  he  is  thirteen. 
And  add  the  number  of  wrinkles  to  nine,  and  you  will 
always  get  it. 

TO  SAVE  HORSES  FROM  FIRE. 

The  difficulty  of  getting  horses  from  burnmg  stables 
is  well  known.  The  remedy  is  to  bhnd-fold  them  per- 
fectly, and  by  gentle  usage,  they  may  easily  be  led  out. 


Scalded  Shorts.  105 

METHOD  OF  ADMINISTERING    MEDICINES. 

We  know  of  no  improvement  to  the  common  custom 
of  administering  medicine  in  the  form  of  a  drench,  using 
a  common  champagne  bottle,  and  stand  a  little  elevated 
on  the  right  side  of  the  horse,  your  back  turned  towards 
his  body ;  then  take  a  firm  hold  of  the  lower  jaw  Avith 
the  left  hand,  at  the  same  time  moderately  elevating  the 
head,  (not  too  high,)  while  with  the  right  introduce  the 
bottle  between  the  canine  teeth  and  grinders,  keep  it  in 
that  position,  and  gradually  pour  down  the  contents  of 
the  bottle.  Time  should  be  taken.  If  it  is  poure4do\VTi 
in  small  quantities,  so  much  the  better ;  the  horse  will 
be  more  likely  to  swallow  it,  especially  if  it  shall  be 
made  palatable  by  the  addition  of  a  few  caraway  seeds 
or  a  little  honey.  Medicine  given  in  the  fluid  form  is 
readily  taken  up  by  the  lacteals,  and  operates,  for  good 
or  evil,  in  much  less  time  than  balls.  Horses,  like  chil- 
dren, must  be  handled  in  the  most  gentle  manner.  They 
will  generally  refuse  to  drink  even  a  little  gruel,  when 
any  unnecessary  severity  is  resorted  to  in  its  administra- 
tion.    They  may  be  coaxed,  but  not  forced. 

SCALDED  SHORTS. 

Shorts,  as  they  are  familiarly  termed,  when  scalded 
make  an  excellent  diet  for  sick  animals.  The  usual 
method  of  preparation  is,  to  turn  two  or  three  quarts  of 
shorts  into  a  bucket,  to  which  add  boiling  water,  so  that  the 
mixture,  vAien  stirred,  shall  be  about  the  consistence  of 
a  soft  poultice ;  it  is  then  to  be  covered  with  a  cloth,  and 
not  given  to  the  horse  until  sufiiciently  cool.  Wlien  a 
horse  has  taken  cold,  and  labors  under  a  discharge  from 
the  nostrils,  the  mash  may  be  put  mto  the  manger  while 
hot,  with  a  view  of  steaming  the  nasal  passages,  and  fa- 


106  The  Hoese  Fakrier. 

voring  the  discharge  of  morbid  accumulations.  This  is 
.good  for  all  acute  diseases;  in  fever  and  all  inflamma- 
tory complaints ;  it  is  useful  also  as  a  preparative  to 
physic,  serving  to  remove  any  indurated  fosces  there  may 
be  in  the  bowels,  whereby  the  operation  of  the  medicine 
is  rendered  more  safe  and  affectual.  When  a  horse  has 
been  fed  high  for  some  time,  a  change  to  a  diet  of  mash- 
es for  two  or  three  days  will  often  do  a  great  deal  of 
good. 

During  the  active  stage  of  acute  diseases  of  the  alimenta- 
ry canal — inflammation  of  the  bowels  for  example — food  of 
this  description  is  inadmissible,  and  such  articles  as  are 
mucilaginous,  or  lubricating,  are  used.  The  best  we  know 
of,  are  flaxseed,  marshmallows,  and  slippery  elm.  It  is 
customary  in  England,  in  large  stables,  to  set  a  boiler,  in 
which  hot  water  is  continually  kept  for  the  purposes  of 
the  stable,  and  more  particularly  for  making  bran  mashes, 
and  at  night,  if  any  of  the  horses  look  dumpish,  (fatigued,) 
a  bran  mash  and  a  good  warm  bed  of  straw  generally  re- 
store them. 

JUDGING  THE  CHARACTER  OP  HORSES  BY  THEIR  COLOR. 

The  following  conclusions  are  the  result  of  long  exper- 
ience and  observation : 

Sorrel  or  chestnut  with  white  feet  and  head  are  marks 
of  kindness,  if  broad  and  full  between  the  eyes,  can  be 
depended  on  as  a  horse  of  good  sense,  and  capable  of  be- 
ing tramed  to  anything ;  they  will  not  stand  the  whip,  if 
well  fed. 

A  dish-faced  horse  indicates  too  much  go-head,  and  is 
not  safe  for  every  body. 

A  deep  bay,  without  a  white  hair,  indicates  one  of  great 
bottom,  but  rather  tricky  and  unsafe,  or  what  some  would 


Warrantees.  107 

call  a  fool  of  a  horse.     If  you  want  one  that  Tvdll  never 
give  out,  never  try  a  large,  overgrown  horse. 

A  black  horse  cannot  stand  heat,  nor  a  white  one  cold. 
White  about  the  head — the  more  the  better — indicates 
docility.  Some  suppose  the  parti-colored  horses  belong- 
ing to  circuses,  shows,  &g.,  were  selected  for  their  oddi- 
ty, but  the  selection  is  made  on  account  of  theu*  great 
docihty  and  gentleness. 

WARRANTEES. 

A  few  remarks  on  this  subject  may  be  serviceable  often 
to  the  farmers,  and  we  cannot  do  the  subject  better  jus- 
tice t^::m  to  insert  the  followuig,  taken  from  the  Modern 
Horse-Doctor,  by  Dr.  Dadd  : 

"  Warrantees,  by  which  is  meant  an  idemnity  against 
any  misoundness,  or  a  pledge  given — commonly  m  lori- 
'  iiYig — by  the  vender  to  the  purchaser,  that  the  horse  is 
sound  and  quiet,  and  possesses  such  and  such  qualifica- 
tions. Without  such  idemnification  or  pledge,  the  law 
says.  Caveat  emptor — let  the  purchaser  take  the  conse- 
quences ;  the  rule  at  law  being,  that  every  body  who 
purchases  a  horse  takes  him  at  his  own  judgment,  and  has 
no  remedy  against  the  seller,  supposing  the  horse  to  turn 
out,  upon  a  future  trial,  or  a  more  considerate  mspection 
after  the  purchase,  to  be  worth  less  than  the  sum  given ; 
unless  he  (the  j-urchaser,)  can  p»^ove  he  was  induced  to 
purchase  by  representations  false  within  the  knowledge 
of  the  seller ;  to  fasten  a  fraud  of  which  nature  upon  an 
experienced  dealer  in  horses  is,  however,  a  difficult  mat- 
ter. Warrantees  are  of  different  kinds — expressed  or  im- 
plied^  general  or  special.  An  express  warranty  speaks  for 
itself.  And  as  for  an  implied  warranty,  such  a  thing  is 
hardly  known,  or  at  least,  rarely  taken  advantage  of  in 
horse  dealing^  the  price  paid,  however  high,  not  being 
legally  held  to  be  any  guaranty  of  the  soundness  of  the 
animal ;  and  any  thing  that  might  transpire  between  sel- 
ler and  buyer,  implying  warranty,  bemg  worth  nothmg 


108  The  Horse  Farrier. 

without  proofs  which,  heing  procured,  would  render  the 
transaction,  in  law,  tantamount  to  an  express  warranty. 
A  general  warranty  extends  to  all  defects  and  faults 
known  and  unknown  to  the  seller ;  but  a  special  warran- 
ty is  confined  in  its  operation  to  the  parts  or  particulars 
specifically  pointed  out.  A  horse  may  be  warranted  of 
such  an  age ;  or,  having  some  defect  visible  upon  his 
limbs,  such  as  a  spavin,  or  a  curb,  or  a  fired  leg,  of  which 
he  does  not  go  lame  at  the  time,  that  defect  may  be  spe- 
cified, and  the  horse  warranted  not  (within  any  reasona- 
ble or  j^rescribed  period)  to  become  lame  in  consequence 
of  it.  A  general  warranty,  however,  affords  no  protec- 
tion against  such  defects  as  are  '  plain  and  obvious'  to 
every  body,  and,  consequently,  to  the  purchaser;  no 
more  than  a  special  warranty  does  against  any  which  are 
not  included  or  named  in  the  specification.  '  But  if,  on 
the  sale  of  a  horse,  the  seller  agree  to  deliver  it  sound 
and  free  from  blemish  at  the  expiration  of  a  specified 
period^  the  Avarranty  is  broken  by  a  fault  in  the  horse 
when  delivered,  although  such  defect  'was  obvious  at  the 
time  of  sale  f'  and  as  some  sj^lints  cause  lameness  and 
others  do  not,  a  splint  is  not  one  of  those  plain  defects 
against  which  a  warranty  will  not  idemnify ;  and  when  a 
seller  warrants  a  horse  sound  at  the  time  of  sale^  and  the 
horse  afterwards  becomes  lame  from  the  efiects  of  a  splint, 
visible  when  the  horse  was  bought,  it  is  certain  that  war- 
ranty is  broken.'  This  rule  will  apply  to  spavin,  or  to 
curb,  or  to  windgall,  or,  in  fact,  to  any  other  defect  '  visi- 
ble at  the  time  of  sale.'  For  all  warrantees  can  only  un- 
dertake for  the  animal's  qualifications  at  the  titne  of  sale  / 
none  can  extend  to  any  subsequent  period  unless  there 
be  a  special  clause  '  to  deliver  the  horse  free  from  blemish,' 
and  that  dehvery  be  by  mutual  agreement  delayed. 

"The  form  in  which  a  receipt  mcluding  warranty  is 
■generally  written : — 

"'Received,  the  1st  of  January,  1858,  of  J.  P.,  the 
sum  of  two  hmidred  dollars  for  a  bay  mare,  warranted 
sound  and  quiet  to  ride  and  drive.' 

"  Or,  *  Warranted  free  from  vice  and  blemish,  except — ,» 
"  Or,  '  Warranted  in  every  respect,  except .' 


Wakrantees.  109 

"  Or,  *  Warranted  to  have  been  constantly  driven  both 
in  single  and  double  harness,  to  have  carried  a  lady,  to 
have  been  regularly  hunted,  to  be  a  good  hunter  or  hack- 
ney, &c.,  ifcc' 

"  Following  the  word  *  except'  there  being  opportunity 
afforded  the  (honest)  vender  'of  stating  what  he  may 
kno-w^  invalidating  the  Avarranty,  and  thereby  saving  his 
reputation  as  well  as  screening  himself  from  the  probar 
bility  of  litigation  afterwards. 

" '  With  resjicct  to  what  (oral)  declarations  of  the  seller 
will  amount  to  a  warranty,  the  primary  rule  for  the  inter- 
pretation of  contracts  in  general  is  applicable.  It  depends 
upon  the  intention  of  the  parties.  A  simple  affirmation 
of  the  goodness  of  an  article  is  a  warranty,  provided  it 
(a  warranty)  appear  to  have  been  intended ;  whereas  the 
sublimest  epithets  that  a  seller  ever  employed  to  recom- 
mend his  goods  to  a  credulous  buyer  will  be  regarded  as 
the  idle  phraseology  of  the  market,  unless  an  intendedj  to 
icarranty  actually  appear.'  In  fine,  '  it  is  fi'om  the  hitenr 
tion  of  the  parties,  as  collected  from  the  whole  transac- 
tion, and  from  the  meaning  they  appear  to  have  attached 
to  particular  ex2:»ressions,  that  the  existenjce  or  non-exis- 
tence of  a  w^arranty  is  to  be  inferred.' 

"  *  Let  us  now  consider  how  the  rights  of  parties  are 
affected  by  the  horse  being  unsound  at  the  time  of  the 
Avarraiity.  The  contract  being  thus  broken  on  the  part 
of  the  seller,  it  is  at  the  buyer's  option  either  to  treat  it 
as  a  nullity,  and  return  the  horse,  or  to  retain  him,  not- 
withstanding, and  bring  an  action  on  the  warranty.  In 
the  former  case,  the  price  paid  is  the  measure  of  the 
damages  he  will  be  entitled  to  recover  in  an  action  ^  in 
the  latter,  the  diiference  between  that  price  and  his  real 
value.  If  he  oiler  to  rescind  the  contract  and  return  the 
horse,  he  may  also  recover  the  ex}>enses  of  his  keep ;  but 
in  order  to  do  this,  a  positive  tender  is  said  to  be  neces- 
sary. No  notice  of  the  unsoundness  need  be  given  to 
the  vender  to  entitle  the  vendee  to  mauitain  the  action ; 
nor  is  it  necessary  to  bruig  the  action  immediately  on 
discovering  the  unsoundness.' — *  But  although  such  a  no- 
tice be  not  essential,  yet  it  is  always  advisable  to  give  it, 


110  The  Hokse  Carrier, 

as  the  omitting  to  do  so  will  furnish  at  the  trial  strong- 
presumption  that  the  horse,  at  the  time  of  sale,  was  free 
from  the  defect  complained  of;  thus  rendermg  the  proof 
of  a  breach  of  v/arranty  more  difficult.  Common  justice 
and  honesty  require  that  the  commodity  should  be  re- 
turned at  the  earliest  period,  and  before  it  has  been  so 
changed  by  lapse  of  time  as  to  make  it  impossible  to  as- 
certain, by  proper  tests,  what  were  its  original  proper- 
ties.' " 

SNOW  BELLS  ON   HORSES'  FEET. 

Clean  the  hoofs  and  feet  and  rub  them  well  with  soft 
soap ;  on  a  journey,  to  soap  them  twice  a  day  may  be 
best  in  some  cases,  but  once  a  day,  in  ordinary  time,  tvtII 
be  found  sufficient. 

TO  MANAGE  A  HORSE  WHEN  FALLEN  DOWN. 

If  the  horse  is  in  harness,  it  is  seldom  that  he  can  rise 
until  he  is  freed  from  the  shafts  and  traces.  The  first 
thing  is  to  secure  the  head,  and  to  keep  it  down,  that  he 
may  not  beat  himself  against  the  ground.  Next,  the 
parts  of  the  harness  connected  with  the  carriage  must  be 
unbuckled — the  carriage  must  then  bef  backed  a  little 
way,  so  that  he  may  have  room  to  rise.  If  necessary, 
the  traces  must  be  taken  off;  and  after  the  horse  gets  up, 
he  must  be  steadied  a  little,  until  he  collects  himself. 

GETTING   THE     CHEEK    OF   THE   BIT   INTO   THE   MOUTH, 

Harsh  treatment  is  here  comj)letely  out  of  the  question* 
All  that  can  be  done,  is,  by  some  mechanical  contrivance, 
to  louder  the  thing  difficult  or  impossible,  and  this  may 
be  managed  by  fastening  a  round  piece  of  leather  on  the 
inside  of  the  cheek  of  the  bit. 

COLTS  CHEWING  HALTERS. 

Take  scab  from  the  wort  on  the  inside  of  the  leg,  rub 
the  halter  thoroughly  witn  'hat,  and  they  will  not  be 
found  chewing  their  halters  very  soon» 


CHAPTER    V. 


THE  VICES  AND  DISAGREEABLE  OR  DANGEROUS  HABITS 
OF   THE  HORSE.* 


The  horse  has  many  excellent  qualities,  but  he  has,  like- 
wise, defects,  and  these  often  amount  to  vices.  Some  are 
attributable  to  natural  disposition,  but  the  majority  are 
attributable  to  bad  education  and  wrong  management. 

BITIXG. 

This  is  either  the  consequence  of  natural  ferocity,  or  a 
habit  acquired  from  the  foolish  and  teasing  play  of  grooms 
and  stable-boys.  Prevention,  however,  is  in  the  power 
of  every  proprietor  of  horses.  While  he  insists  on  gentle 
and  humane  treatment  of  cattle,  he  should  systematically 
forbid  this  horse- play. 

It  is  seldom  that  anything  can  Ibe  done  in  the  way  of 
cure.  Kindness  will  aggravate  the  evil,  and  no  degree 
of  severity  wifl  correct  it.  "  I  have  seen,"  says  Professor 
Stewart,  "  biters  punished  until  they  tremble  in  every 
joint,  and  were  ready  to  drop,  but  have  never  in  any 
case  known  them  cured  by  this  treatment,  or  by  any  other. 

■-*  "We  would  refer  the  reader  to  the  third  chapter  of  this  book,  as  exceptions  are 
taken  to  some  of  the  statements  in  this  chapter  connected  with  the  vicious  habits 
of  horses. 


112  The  Hoese  J^'akriee. 

The  lash  is  forgotten  in  an  hour,  and  the  horse  is  as  ready 
and  determined  to  repeat  the  offence  as  before.  He  ap- 
pears unable  to  resist  the  temptation,  and  in  its  worst 
form,  biting  is  a  species  of  insanity." 

Constant  and  laborious  work  is  often  beneficial.  Some 
horses  may  be  over-awed  by  being  very  bold.  He  may 
be  warned  by  speaking  to  him.  On  approaching  the 
horse,  hold  a  whip  in  his  view,  ready  to  let  it  fall.  If  you 
can  get  hold  of  his  head,  you  are  safe ;  he  may  then  be 
muzzled,  or  his  head  tied  to  the  manger,  a  long  rope  may 
be  fastened  to  the  halter  and  run  through  a  ring  at  the 
head  of  the  stall,  and  proceed  backward  to  the  heel  post ; 
this  enables  a  man  to  draw  the  head  close  up  to  the  ring, 
and  keep  it  there  till  the  grain  or  water  is  delivered,  and 
till  the  horse  can  be  bridled,  muzzled,  harnessed  or  dressed 
as  the  case  may  be.  He  is,  of  course,  to  be  released  af- 
ter you  leave  the  stall,  but  the  rope  remains  in  place  ready 
for  use. 

If  you  can  obtain  something  that  is  exceedingly  disa- 
greeable to  the  taste  of  a  horse — some  bitter  herb — sat- 
urate a  piece  of  cloth,  and  wind  it  around  a  stick  for  him 
to  bite ;  it  will  often,  in  connection  with  kind  treatment, 
have  a  tendency  to  break  him.  A  single  short  cut  across 
the  mouth  on  the  instant  will  sometimes  do  good. 

KICKING. 

This,  as  a  vice,  is  another  consequence  of  the  culpable 
habit  of  teasing  the  horse.  There  is  no  cftre  for  this  vice 
when  it  is  inveterately  established,  and  he  cannot  be  jus- 
tified who  keeps  a  kicking  horse  in  his  stable.  He  is 
never  safe,  or  relied  on  as  bemg  safe.  It  is  foremost  in 
the  pomt  of  danger,  and  no  treatment  will  always  con- 
quer.    An  awkward  man  is  always  sure  to  receive  injury 


Kicking.  113 

from  a  confirmed  kicker,  and  a  timid  man  is  never  safe. 
Before  the  habit  is  established,  a  thorn-bush  fastened 
against  the  partition  or  post  will  sometimes  effect  a  cure. 

A  chain  about  20  mches  long,  strapped  in  the  centre  to 
the  horse's  foot,  is  the  most  effectual  remedy  known  to  us. 

A  much  more  serious  vice  is  kicking  in  harness.  From 
the  least  annoyance  about  the  rump  or  quarters,  some 
horses  will  kick  at  a  most  violent  rate,  and  destroy  the 
bottom  of  the  chaise,  and  endanger  the  limbs  of  the  driv- 
er. Those  that  are  fidgety  in  the  stable  are  most  aj^t  to 
do  this.  If  the  reins  should  perchance  get  under  the 
tail,  the  violence  of  the  kicker  will  often  be  most  out- 
rageous ;  and  while  the  animal  presses  down  his  tail  so 
tightly  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  extricate  the  reins, 
he  continues  to  plunge  until  he  has  demolished  every- 
thing behmd. 

We  know  of  no  treatment  better  than  to  put  on  a  head- 
stall or  bridle,  w^ith  twisted  W,  or  twisted  straight  bitts 
in  the  mouth  of  the  horse  to  be  cured ;  then  put  on  a 
common  back-saddle,  with  thill  lugs,  or  any  strap  or  girth 
wath  loojDS  on  either  side  of  the  horse,  is  equally  good ; 
then  buckle  a  pair  of  long  reins,  open  in  the  middle,  into 
the  bitts,  and  pass  them  through  the  thill  lugs  or  loops ; 
one  to  each  hind  leg,  above  the  fetlock  joint ;  there  make 
each  rem  fast  to  the  leg,  allowing  sufiicient  length  of  rein 
for  your  horse  to  walk  or  trot,  as  the  operator  may  think 
proper.  Everything  com^^letci,  you  will  have  the  animal 
commence  the  operation  of  kicking ;  the  first  will  be  a 
smart  kick,  and  the  second  lighter,  and  so  on  till  your 
horse  cannot  be  made  to  kick  any  more. 

Or  the  foUowmg :  Take  a  forked  stick,  about  two  feet 
long,  varymg  a  little  according  to  the  size  of  the  horses, 
tie  the  ends  of  the  fork  firmly  to  each  end  of  the  bridle 


114  The  Horse  Fakrier. 

bit,  and  the  other  end  of  the  stick  to  the  lower  end  of 
the  collar  so  as  to  keep  the  head  up.  A  few  days  work- 
ing in  this  manner  will  commonly  suffice  for  a  cure.  The 
man,  however,  who  must  come  within  reach  of  a  kicker 
should  come  as  close  to  him  as  possible.  The  blow  may 
thus  become  a  push,  and  seldom  is  injurious. 

RILNl^iN^G    AWAY. 

The  only  method  which  affords  any  probability  of  success 
is  to  have  him  always  firmly  in  hand ;  and,  if  he  will  run 
away,  and  the  place  will  admit  of  it,  to  give  him  (sparing 
neither  curb,  whip,  nor  spur,)  a  great  deal  more  running 
than  he  likes.  If  you  wish  to  stoj)  the  horse,  if  on  horse- 
back throw  your  bridle  reins  around  his  neck,  if  possi- 
ble, to  choke  him,  or  choke  him  with  your  arm.  If  in 
a  wagon,  and  running  away  is  feared,  provide  a  strong 
cord  with  a  shpping-noose  placed  around  his  neck,  if  he 
runs,  draw  the  cord  forcibly. 

CRIB-BITING. 

The  causes  of  crib-biting  are  various,  it  is  often  the  re- 
sult of  imitation,  idleness,  and  sometimes  by  partial  star- 
vation. The  high  fed  and  sj^irited  horse  must  be  mis- 
chievous, if  not  usefully  employed.  The  crib-biting  horse 
is  more  subject  to  colic  than  other  horses,  and  to  a  species 
difficult  of  treatment  and  frequently  dangerous.  This  is 
a  bad  habit,  and  very  annoying  to  the  owner  of  a  horse. 
Various  remedies  have  been  tried,  such  as  ironing  the 
manger,  petitions,  etc.  I  know  of  no  certain  cure  but  an 
iron  muzzle,  with  bars  just  wide  enough  apart  to  allow 
the  horse  to  pick  up  his  grain  and  draw  out  his  hay  with 
his  tongue,  but  not  to  get  hold  of  any  thing  with  his 
teeth.  Common  bar  soaj)  is  a  preventive,  which  is  to  be 
rubbed  on  the  edge  and  outside  of  the  crib,  and  renewed 


WiND-SuCKINQ.  115 

as  often  as  necessary.     If  this  habit  is  not  broken,  it  will 
soon  be  imitated  by  every  horse  in  the  stable. 

WIND-SUCKING. 

This  bears  a  close  analogy  to  crib-biting.  It  arises 
from  the  same  causes;  the  same  purpose  is  accomplished; 
and  the  same  results  follow.  The  horse  stands  with  his 
neck  bent ;  his  lips  alternately  a  little  opened  and  then 
closed,  and  a  noise  is  heard  as  if  he  were  sucking.  If 
we  may  judge  from  the  same  comparative  want  of  condi- 
tion and  the  flatulence  which  we  have  described  under 
the  last  head,  either  some  jDortion  of  wind  enters  the 
stomach,  or  there  is  an  injurious  loss  of  saliva.  This  di- 
minishes the  value  of  the  horse  almost  as  much  as  crib- 
biting  ;  it  is  as  contagious,  and  it  is  as  inveterate.  The 
only  remedies,  and  they  will  seldom  avail,  are  tying  the 
head  up,  except  when  the  horse  is  feeding,  or  putting  on 
a  muzzle  with  sharp  spikes  towards  the  neck,  and  which 
will  prick  hun  whenever  he  attempts  to  rein  his  head  in 
for  the  purpose  of  wind-sucking. —  Ybuatt, 

CUTTING. 

There  are  some  defects  in  the  natural  form  of  the  horse, 
which  are  the  causes  of  cutting,  and  which  no  contrivance 
will  remedy ;  as  when  the  legs  are  placed  too  near  to  each 
other,  or  when  the  feet  are  turned  inward  or  outward. 
Some  horses  will  cut  only  when  they  are  fjxtigued  or  lame, 
and  old ;  many  colts  will  cut  before  they  arrive  at  their 
full  strength.  The  inside  of  the  fetlock  is  often  bruised 
by  the  shoe  or  the  hoof  of  the  opposite  foot.  Many  ex- 
pedients used  to  be  tried  to  remove  this ;  the  inside  heel 
has  been  raised  and  lowered,  and  the  outside  raised  and 
lowered;  and  sometimes  one  operation  has  succeeded, 
and  sometimes  the  contrary ;  and  there  was.  no  pomt  so 


116  The  Horse  Farrier. 

involved  in  obscurity,  or  so  destitute  of  principles  to  guide 
the  practitioner.  The  most  successful  remedy,  and  that 
which  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  supersedes  all  others, 
is  a  shoe  of  equal  thickness  from  heel  to  toe,  and  having 
but  one  nail,  and  that  near  the  toe  on  the  inside  of  the 
shoe ;  care  being  taken  that  the  shoe  shall  not  extend  be- 
yond the  edge  of  the  crust,  and  that  the  crust  shall  be 
rasped  a  little  at  the  quarters. 

NOT   LYING    DOWN. 

It  not  uncommonly  happens  that  a  horse  will  seldom 
or  never  lie  down  in  the  stable.  He  sometimes  continues 
in  apparent  good  health,  and  feeds  and  works  well ;  but 
generally  his  legs  swell,  or  he  becomes  fatigued  sooner 
than  another  horse.  They  perhaps  are  afraid  of  being 
caught  by  the  halter,  or  they  have  already  been  cast  in 
the  night,  and  do  not  like  to  try  it  again.  Such  horses 
should  be  let  loose  in  a  stable  at  night,  or  in  a  large  stall 
without  being  tied,  and  furnished  with  a  tempting  bed, 
until  the  habit  of  lying  down  is  acquired. 

TO    PREVENT   ROLLING   IN   THE    STALL. 

This  is  a  very  dangerous  habit,  and  can  be  prevented 
only  by  tymg  the  horse  so  that  he  can  lie  down,  but  not 
touch  his  head  to  the  floor.  This  is  very  tiresome  to  the 
horse,  and  hence,  if  you  care  enough  for  his  comfort  and 
health,  build  a  narrow  platform,  eighteen  to  twenty-four 
inches  in  width,  slanting  at  an  angle  of  thirty  to  forty 
degrees,  so  that  it  will  form  a  pillow  for  his  head  and 
neck ;  then  adjust  a  rope  so  that  as  he  lies  down  his  head 
will  naturally  rest  on  the  platform,  or  pillow.  He  will 
not  roll  unless  he  can  get  his  head  as  low  as  the  floor  of 
the  stable. 


OnERKE ACHING    OK    C/LmKING.  117 

OVERREACHING    OR   CLINKING. 

An  over-reach  is  a  tread  upon  the  heel  of  the  coronet 
of  the  fore  foot  by  the  shoe  of  the  corresponclmg  hind 
foot,  and  is  either  inflicted  by  the  toe,  or  by  the  inner  edge 
of  the  mside  of  the  shoe. 

A  writer  in  the  N.  E.  Farmer,  who  is  a  blacksmith, 
cures  overreaching  horses,  and  incseases  their  trotting 
speed  fifteen  or  twenty  seconds  per  mile,  by  the  follow- 
ing mode  of  shoeing,  which  increases  the  motion  of  thG 
forward  feet,  and  retards  the  motion  of  the  hind  ones. 
He  makes  the  toe-caulks  very  low,  standing  a  very  little 
under,  and  the  shoes  set  as  far  backward  as  convenient 
on  the  forward  feet,  with  high  heel-caulks,  so  as  to  let 
them  roll  over  as  soon  as  possible.  On  the  hind  feet, 
the  heel-caulk  is  low  and  the  toe-caulk  high  and  project 
ing  forward.  Horses  shod  thus,  travel  clean,  with  no 
click. 

PAWING. 

Some  hot  and  iritatible  horses  are  restless,  even  in  the 
stable,  and  paw  frequently  and  violently ;  shackles  are 
the  only  remedy,  with  a  chain  sufficiently  long  to  enable 
the  horse  to  shift  his  position,  but  they  must  be  taken  off 
at  night  to  enable  the  horse  to  lie  down. —  Youatt, 

SHYING. 

This  arises  from  various  causes,  sometimes  from  defec- 
tive sight,  some  from  cowardness  or  playfulness,  or  want 
of  work,  but  oftener  from  bad  education.  In  the  treat- 
ment of  shying  it  is  of  great  importance  to  distinguish 
between  that  which  is  the  consequence  of  defective  sight, 
and  what  results  from  fear,  or  newness  of  objects,  or 


118  The  Horse  FAiiiiiER. 

mere  affectation  or  skittishness.  For  the  first,  every  al- 
lowance must  be  made,  and  care  must  be  taken  that  the 
fear  of  correction  is  not  associated  with  the  imagined  ex- 
istence of  some  terrifying  object.  The  severe  use  of  the 
whip  and  the  spur  cannot  do  good  here,  and  are  likely  to 
aggravate  the  vice  ten-fold.  A  word,  half  encouraging 
and  half  scolding,  with  a  shght  pressure  of  the  heel,  or  a 
slight  touch  of  the  spur,  will  tell  the  horse  that  there  was 
nothing  to  fear,  and  will  give  him  confidence  in  his  rider 
on  a  future  occasion. 

The  shying  from  skittishness  or  affectation  is  quite  a 
different  affair,  and  must  be  conquered :  but  how  ?  Se- 
verity is  altogether  out  of  place.  If  he  is  forced  into 
contact  with  the  object  by  dint  of  correction,  the  dread 
of  punishment  will  afterwards  be  associated  with  that  ob- 
ject, and,  on  the  next  occasion,  his  startings  "\vill  be  more 
frequent  and  more  dangerous.  The  way  to  cure  him  is 
to  go  on,  turning  as  little  as  possible  out  of  the  road, 
giving  a  harsh  word  or  two,  and  a  gentle  touch  with  the 
sj)ur,  and  then  taking  no  more  notice  of  the  matter.  Af- 
ter a  few  times,  whatever  may  have  been  the  object 
which  he  chose  to  select  as  the  pretended  cause  of  affright, 
he  will  pass  it  almost  without  notice. 

In  colts,  from  fear  or  playfulness,  a  considerable  degree 
of  starting  and  shying  may  be  exhibited.  As  little  no- 
tice as  possible  should  be  taken  of  it.  The  same  or  a 
similar  object  should  be  soon  passed  again,  but  at  a 
greater  distance.  If  the  colt  still  shies,  let  the  distance 
be  still  farther  increased  until  he  takes  no  notice  of  the  ob- 
ject. Then  he  may  be  gradually  brought  nearer  to  it, 
and  this  will  be  usually  affected  without  the  slightest  dif- 
ficulty :  whereas,  had  there  been  an  attempt  to  force  him 


Slipping  the  IIaltek.  119 

close  to  it  in  the  first  instance,  the  remembrance  of  the 
contest  would  have  been  associated  with  every  appear- 
ance of  the  object,  and  the  habit  of  shying  would  have 
been  establislied.  If  this  method  is  adopted,  he  will  not 
possess  the  annoying  will,  when  he  grows  to  mature  age. 
Nothing  is  gained  by  harsh  treatment,  nor  is  the  foolish 
practice  of  patting  the  horse,  and  making  much  of  him, 
advisable,  either  just  before  or  during  the  time  he  evinces 
shyness.  The  former  is  bad,  because  it  draws  the  atten- 
tion of  the  animal  to  the  object  he  dreads ;  the  latter  is 
worse,  because  it  fills  him  with  the  impression  either  that 
the  object  itself  is  really  terrific,  or  that  he  has  acted 
right  in  shying  at  it,  and  ought  to  do  so  again. 

Whether  we  are  approaching  the  frightful  object,  or 
the  horse  is  actually  sliying,  "  we  should  let  him  alone" 
— "  we  should  take  no  notice  whatever  of  him" — neitl^er 
letting  him  perceive  that  we  are  aware  that  we  are  ad- 
vancing towards  anything  he  dislikes  ;  nor  do  more  with 
him,  while  in  the  act  of  shying,  than  is  necessary  for  due 
restraint  with  a  steady  hand  upon  the  rein.  A  horse 
that  is  in  the  habit  of  shymg  in  coming  out  of  the  stable, 
should  be  biidled  when  led  out  or  in,  and  held  short  and 
tight  by  the  hand.  —  Youatt. 

SLIPPING  THE  HALTEK. 

This  is  a  trick  at  v.iiich  many  horses  are  so  clever,  that 
scai'cely  a  night  passes  without  theii-  gettmg  loose.  It 
is  a  very  serious  habit,  for  it  enables  the  horse  some- 
times to  gorge  himself  with  food,  to  the  imminent  dan- 
ger of  staggers  ;  or  it  exposes  him,  as  he  wandere  about, 
to  be  kicked  and  injured  by  the  other  horses,  while  his 
restlesness  will  often  keep  the  whole  team  awake.    If 


120  The  Horse  Faeriee. 

tlie  web  of  the  halter,  being  first  accurately  fitted  to  his 
neck,  is  suffered  to  slij)  only  one  way,  or  a  strap  is  at- 
tached to  the  halter  and  buckled  round  the  neck,  but  not 
sufficiently  tight  to  be  of  serious  inconvenience,  the  pow- 
er of  slipping  the  halter  will  be  taken  away. —  Youatt, 

TRIPPING. 

He  must  be  a  skillful  practitioner  or  a  mere  pretender 
who  promises  to  remedy  this  habit.  If  it  arises  from  a 
heavy  fore-hand,  and  the  fore-legs  being  too  much  under 
the  horse,  no  one  can  alter  the  natural  frame  of  the  ani- 
mal ;  if  it  proceeds  from  tenderness  of  the  foot,  groggi- 
ness,  or  old  lameness,  these  ailments  are  seldom  cured. 
Also  if  it  is  to  be  traced  to  habitual  carelessness  and  idle- 
ness, no  whipping  will  rouse  the  drone.  A  known  stum- 
bler  should  never  be  ridden,  or  driven  by  any  one  who 
values  his  safety  or  his  life.  A  tight  hand  or  a  strong- 
bearing  rein  are  precautions  that  ghould  not  be  neglected. 

If  the  stumbler  has  the  foot  kept  as  short,  and  the  toe 
piared  as  close  as  safety  will  permit,  and  the  shoe  is  round- 
ed at  the  toe,  or  has  that  shape  given  to  it  which  it  nat- 
urally acquires  in  a  fortnight,  from  the  peculiar  action  of 
such  a  horse,  the  animal  may  not  stumble  quite  so  much  ; 
or  if  the  disease  which  produced  the  habit  can  be  allevia- 
ted, some  trifling  good  may  be  done,  but  in  almost  every 
case  a  stumbler  should  be  got  rid  of,  or  put  to  slow  and 
heavy  work —  Youatt. 

HORSES  JIJMPING  FENCES.  -     ' 

Pass  a  small  and  strong  cord  around  his  body,  just  be- 
hind his  shoulders,^  and  tie  the  halter  to  this  cord  between 
his  fore-legs  so  as  to  leave  the  distance  about  two  feet 
from  the  cord  to  his  head,  if  then  he  attempt  to  jump, 
he  is  compelled  to  throw  his  head  foivward,  which  draws 
hard  on  the  cord  and  causes  it  to  cut  into  his  back  and 
he  instantly  desists.  The  cord  should  not  he  more  than 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


OPERATIONS,  ETC.,  ETC. 


SETONS. 

Setons  are  useful  in  various  cases  in  abscesses,  such  as 
occur  in  poll  evil ;  in  deep  fistulous  wounds  they  are  in- 
dispensable. They  promote  discharge  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  an  inflammation.  They  are  made  of  tow  and 
horse  hair,  braided  together,  or  a  small  cord  or  a  strap 
of  leather  may  be  used ;  they  are  inserted  by  means  of 
an  instrument  resembling  a  large  needle,  either  through 
abscesses,  or  the  base  of  ulcers  with  deep  sinuses,  or  be- 
tween the  skin  and  the  muscular  or  other  substances  be- 
neath. They  are  retained  there  by  the  ends  being  tied 
together,  or  by  a  knot  at  each  end.  The  tape  is  moved 
in  the  wound  twice  or  thrice  in  the  day,  and  occasionally 
wetted  with  spirits  of  turpentine,  or  some  acrid  fluid,  in 
order  to  increase  the  inflammation  which  it  produces,  or 
the  discharge  which  is  intended  to  be  established.' 

In  inflammation  of  the  chest  or  intestines,  a  rowel  is 
l^referable  to  a  seton,  where  the  inflammation  has  long 
continued,  but  not  intense.  Rowels  will  be  serviceable 
by  producing  an  irritation  and  discharge.  The  action  of 
rowels  is  slower  than  setons  or  bUstering. 


122    »  The  Hoese  Farriee. 

bleeding. 

This  operation  is  performed  with  a  fleam  or  a  lancet. 
The  first  is  the  common  instrument,  except  in  skillful 
hands.  The  lancet,  however,  has  a  more  surgical  appear- 
ance, and  will  be  adopted  by  the  veterinary  practitioner. 
A  bloodstick  is  used  to  strike  the  fleam  into  the  vein. 
This  is  sometimes  done  with  too  great  violence,  and  the 
opposite  side  of  the  coat  of  the  vein  is  wounded.  Bad 
cases  of  inflammation  have  resulted  from  this.  If  the 
fist  is  doubled,  and  the  fleam  is  sharp  and  is  struck  with 
sufficient  force  with  the  lower  part  of  the  hand,  the  blood- 
stick  may  be  dispensed  with. 

For  general  bleeding  the  jugular  vein  is  selected.  The 
horse  is  blindfolded  on  the  side  on  which  he  is  to  be  bled, 
or  his  head  turned  well  away.  The  hair  is  smoothed 
along  the  course  of  the  vein  with  the  moistened  finger ; 
then,  with  the  tMrd  and  little  finger  of  the  left  hand, 
w^hich  holds  the  fleam,  pressure  is  made  on  the  vein  suf- 
ficient to  bring  it  fairly  into  view,  but  not  to  swell  it  too 
much,  for  then  presenting  a  rounded  sui-face,  it  would 
be  apt  to  roll  or  slij)  under  the  blow.  The  point  to  be 
selected  is  about  two  inches  below  the  union  of  the  two 
portions  of  the  jugular  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  The 
fleam  is  to  be  placed  in  a  direct  line  with  the  course  of 
the  vem,  and  over  the  precise  centre  of  the  vein,  as  close 
to  it  as  possible,  but  its  point  not  absolutely  touching 
the  vein.  A  sharp  rap  wuth  the  hand  on  that  part  of  the 
back  of  the  fleam  immediately  over  the  blade,  will  cut 
through  the  vein,  and  the  blood  will  flow.  A  fleam  with 
a  large  blade  should  always  be  preferred.  A  quantity  of 
blood  drawn  speedily  will  also  have  far  more  eftect'  on 
the  system  than  double  the  weight  slowly  taken,  while 


Bleeding.  123 

the  wound  will  heal  just  as  readily  as  if  made  by  a  smaller 
instrument.  A  slight  pressure,  if  the  incision  has  been 
large  enough  and  straight,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  vein, 
will  cause  the  blood  to  flow  sufticiently  fast ;  or,  the  fin- 
ger being  hitroduced  into  the  mouth  between  the  tush-'^s 
and  the  grinders,  and  gently  moved  about,  will  keep  the 
mouth  in  motion,  and  hasten  the  rapidity  of  the  stream 
by  the  action  and  pressure  of  the  neighboring  muscles. 

When  sufficient  blood  has  been  taken,  the  edges  of  the 
wound  should  be  brought  closely  and  exactly  together, 
and  kept  together  by  a  small  sharp  j)in  being  passed 
through  them.  Round  this  a  little  tow  should  be  wrap- 
ped, so  as  to  cover  the  whole  of  the  incision ;  and  the  head 
of  the  horse  should  be  tied  up  for  several  hours  to  pre- 
vent his  rubbing  the  })art  against  the  manger.  In  bring- 
ing the  edges  of  the  wound  together,  and  introducing 
the  pin,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  draw  the  skin  too  much 
from  the  neck,  otherwise  blood  will  insinuate  itself  between 
it  and  the  muscles  beneath,  and  cause  an  unsightly  and 
sometimes  troublesome  swelling. 

The  blood  should  be  received  into  a  vessel,  the  dimen- 
sions of  which  are  exactly  known,  so  that  the  operator 
may  be  able  to  calculate  at  every  period  of  the  bleeding 
the  quantity  that  is  subtracted.  Care  likewise  should  be 
taken  that  the  blood  flows  in  a  regular  stream  into  the 
centre  of  the  vessel,  for  if  it  is  suffered  to  trickle  down 
the  sides,  it  will  not  afterwards  undergo  those  changes 
by  which  we  partially  judge  of  the  extent  of  inflamma- 
tion. The  pulse,  however,  and  the  symptoms  of  the 
case  collectively,  will  form  a  better  criterion  than  any 
change  in  the  blood.  Twenty-four  hours  after  the  oper- 
ation, the  edges  of  the  wound  will  have  united,   and  the 


124  The  Hoese  FaekiePw 

pin  should  be  withdrawn.  When  the  bleeding  is  to  be 
repeated,  if  more  than  three  or  four  hours  have  elapsed, 
it  will  be  better  to  make  a  fresh  incision  rather  than  to 
open  the  old  wound. 

In  local  inflammation,  blood  may  be  taken  from  any  of 
the  superficial  veins.  In  supposed  afiection  of  the  shoul- 
der, or  of  the  fore-leg  or  foot,  the  plate  vein,  which  comes 
from  the  inside  of  the  arm,  and  runs  upwards  directly  in 
front  of  it  towards  the  jugular,  may  be  opened.  In  af- 
fections of  the  hind  extremity,  blood  is  sometimes  ex- 
tracted from  the  saplimna^  or  thigh-vein,  which  runs 
across  the  inside  of  the  thigh.  In  foot  cases  it  may  be 
taken  from  the  coronet,  or,  much  more  safely,  from  the 
toe ;  not  by  cutting  out  a  piece  of  the  sole  at  the  toe  of 
the  frog,  which  somtimes  causes  a  wound  diflicult  to  heal, 
and  followed  by  festering,  and  even  by  canker ;  but  cut- 
ting down  with  a  fine  drawing-knife,  called  a  searcher,  at 
the  union  between  the  crust  and  the  sole  at  the  very  toe 
until  the  blood  flows,  and,  if  necessary,  encouraging  its 
discharge  by  dipj^ing  the  foot  in  warm  water.  The  mesh- 
w^ork  of  both  arteries  and  vems  will  be  here  divided,  and 
blood  is  generally  obtained  in  any  quantity  that  may  be 
needed.  The  bleeding  may  be  stopped  with  the  greatest 
ease,  by  placing  a  bit  of  tow^  in  the  little  groove  that  has 
been  cut,  and  tacking  the  shoe  over  it.* —  Youatt. 


*  A  great  improvement  has  lately  been  introduced  in  the  method  of  arresting 
arterial  hemorrhage.  The  operation  is  very  simple,  and,  with  common  care 
successful.  The  instrument  is  a  pair  of  artery  forceps,  with  rather  sharper  teeth, 
than  the  common  forceps,  and  the  blades  held  close  by  a  slide.  Tlic  vessel  is  laid 
bare,  detached  from  the  cellular  substance  around  it,  and  the  artery  then  grasp- 
ed by  the  forceps,  the  instrument  deviating  a  very  little  from  the  line  of  the  artery. 
The  vessel,  is  now  divided  close  to  the  forceps,  and  behind  them,  and  the  forceps  are 
twisted  four  or  five  times  round.  The  forceps  are  then  loosened,  and,  generally 
epeaking,  not  more  than  a  drop  or  two  of  blood  will  have  been  lost.    This  method 


..      Tiij^  Pulse.  125 

THE   PULSE. 

The  pulse  is  a  very  useful  assistant  to  the  veterinary 
surgeon,,  whose  patients  cannot  describe  either  the  seat 
or  degree  of  ailment  or  pain.  In  a  state  of  health,  the 
heart  beats  in  a  horse  about  thirty-six  times  a  minute. 
This  is  said  to  be  the  sUmdard  pulse — the  pulse  of  health. 
Where  it  beats  naturally,  there  can  be  little  materially 
wrong.  The  most  convenient  place  to  feel  the  pulse,  is 
at  the  lower  jaw,  a  little  behind  the  spot  where  the  sub- 
maxillary artery  and  vein,  and  the  parotid  duct,  come 
from  under  the  jaw.  There  the  number  of  pulsations 
will  be  easily  counted,  and  the  character  of  the  pulse,  a 
matter  of  fully  equal  importance,  will  be  clearly  ascer- 
tained. 

When  the  pulse  reaches  fifty  or  fifty-five,  some  degree 
of  fever  may  be  apprehended,  and  proper  precaution 
should  be  taken.  Seventy  or  seventy-five  will  indicate  a 
dangerous  state,  and  put  the  owner  and  the  sm*geon 
a  little  on  the  alert.  Few  horses  long  survive  a  pulse  of 
one  hundred,  for,  by  this  excessive  action  the  energies  of 
nature  are  speedily  worn  out. 

Some  things  should  be  taken  into  account  in  forming 
our  conclusion  of  the  pulse.  Exercise,  a  warm  stable, 
and  fear,  will  wonderfuly  mcrease  the  number  of  pulsa- 
tions. 

If  a  quick  pulse  indicate  irritation  and  fever,  a  slow 

of  arresting  bleeding  has  been  applied  by  several  scientific  and  benevolent  men  with 
almost  constant  suwess.  It  lias  been  readily  and  effectually  practised  in  docking, 
nnd  patients  have  escaped  much  torture,  and  tetanus  lost  many  a  vi^ctim.  The  for 
cops  have  been  introduced,  and  with  much  success,  in  castration,  and  thus  the  prin- 
cipal danger  of  tb&t  operafioii,  as  well  as  the  most  painful  part  of  it,  is  removed. 
The  colt  wil  be  a  fair  subj^ftfor  this  experiment  On  the  sheep  and  tbo  calf  it  may- 
be readily  performed,  aa4%^  operator  will  have  the  pleasing  consciousness  of  res* 
cuing  many  a  poor  aBiin^  f5rom  the  unnecessary  infliction  of  torture.— iS^^^oon^r. 


126  The  Hoese  Fareier. 

pulse  will  likewise  characterize  diseases  of  an  opposite 
description.  It  accompanies  the  sleepy  stage  of  staggers, 
and  every  malady  connected  with  deficiency  of  nervous 
energy. 

The  heart  may  be  excited  to  more  frequent  and  more 
violent  action.  It  may  contract  more  j^owerfully  upon 
the  blood,  which  will  be  driven  mth  greater  force  through 
the  arteries,  and  the  expansion  of  the  vessels  wiU  be 
greater  and  more  sudden.  Then  we  have  the  hard  pulse 
— the  sure  mdicator  of  considerable  fever,  and  calling  for 
the  immediate  and  free  use  of  the  lancet. 

Sometimes  the  pulse  may  be  hard  and  jerking,  and  yet 
small.  The  stream  though  forcible  is  not  great.  The 
practitioner  knows  that  this  indicates  a  dangerous  state 
of  disease.  It  is  an  almost  invariable  accompaniment  of 
inflammation  of  the  bowels. 

A  weak  pulse,  wh^n  the  arterial  stream  flows  slowly,  is 
caused  by  the  feeble  action  of  the  heart.  It  is  the  re- 
verse of  fever,  and  expressive  of  debility. 

The  oppi^essed  pulse  is  when  the  arteries  seem  to  be 
fully  distended  with  blood.  There  is  obstruction  some- 
where, and  the  action  of  the  heart  can  hardly  force  the 
stream  along,  or  communicate  pulsation  to  the  current. 

The  state  of  the  j^ulse  should  be  carefully  regarded 
during  bleeding.  The  most  ex23erienced  practitioner  can- 
not tell  what  quantity  of  blood  must  be  abstracted  in  or- 
der to  produce  the  desired  eifect.  The  change  of  the 
pulse  can  alone  indicate  when  the  object  is  accompKshed ; 
therefore,  the  operator  should  have  his  finger  on  the  ar- 
tery during  the  act  of  bleeding,  and,  comparatively  re- 
gardless of  the  quantity,  continue  to  take  blood,  until, 
in  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  the  oppressed  pulse,  becomes 


.*  Clysters.  127 

fuller  and  more  distinct,  or  the  strong  pulse  of  considera- 
ble fever  is  evidently  softer,  or  the  animal  exhibits  symj)- 
toms  of  fahitness. 

It  is  important  to  distinguish  between  the  pulse  of  fe- 
ver and  that  of  hiilammation.  We  may  have  a  pulse  of 
the  greatest  rapidity,  as  in  influenza,  and  yet  no  one  part 
of  the  body  much  inflamed.  We  have  known  the  pulse 
of  the  horse  more  than  tripled,  and  the  animal  still  re- 
cover ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  in  cases  of  inflammation,  a 
pulse  of  60  has  betokened  great  danger,  and,  in  some  ca- 
ses, has  been  succeeded  by  death. 

CLYSTERS. 

The  principal  art  of  administering  a  clyster  consists  in 
not  frightening  the  horse.  The  pipe,  well  oiled,  should 
be  very  gently  introduced,  and  the  fluid  not  too  hastily 
thrown  into  the  intestine ;  its  heat  being  as  nearly  as 
possible  that  of  the  intestine,  or  about  96'^  of  Fahren- 
heit's thermometer. 

These  are  useful  in  hastenuag  the  evacuation  of  the 
bowels  when  the  disease  requires  their  speedy  action. 

Two  ounces  of  soft  or  yellow  soap,  dissolved  in  a  gal- 
lon of  warm  water,  will  form  a  useful  aperient  clyster. 
For  a  more  active  aperient,  half  a  pound  of  Epsom  salts, 
or  even  of  common  salt,  may  be  dissolved  in  the  same  quan- 
ty  of  water.  A  stronger  injection,  but  not  to  be  used  if 
much  purgative  medicine  has  been  previously  given,  may 
be  composed  of  an  ounce  of  Barbadoes  aloes,  dissolved 
in  two  or  three  quarts  of  warm  water.  If  nothing  else 
can  be  procured,  warm  vrater  may  be  erai^loyed. 

In  cases  of  over-purging  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels, 
the  injection  must  be  of  a  soothing  nature.  It  may  con- 
sist of  gruel  alone,  or,  if  the  purging  is  considerable,  and 


128,  The  Hoese  Farkiek. 

difficult  to  stop,  the  gruel  must  be  thicker,  and  four  oun* 
ces  of  prepared  or  powdered  chalk,  well  mixed  with  or 
susj)ended  in  it,  with  two  scruples  or  a  drachm  of  pow- 
dered opium. 

'No  oil  should  enter  into  the  composition  of  a  clyster, 
except  that  linseed  oil  may  be  used  for  the  expulsion  of 
the  ascarides,  or  needle-worms. 

In  epidemic  catarrh,  when  the  horse  sometimes  obsti- 
nately refuses  to  eat  or  to  drink,  his  strengh  may  be  sup- 
ported by  nourishing  clysters ;  but  they  should  consist  of 
thick  gruel  only,  and'  not  more  than  a  quart  should  be 
administered  at  once. 

TEACHEOTOMT. 

;  "This  operation  consists  in  making  an  opening  into 
the  windpipe  to  admit  air  to  the  lungs,  when  the  natural 
passage  is  obstructed  by  foreign  bodies,  or  when  its  caU- 
bre  is  lessened  by  tumefaction  occasioned  by  disease.  In 
severe  cases  of  laryngitis,  strangles,  and  their  kmdred 
diseases,  when  the  patient  seems  almost  suffocated,  trach- 
eotomy should  be  immediately  performed.  In  perform- 
ing the  operation,  we  select  a  sjoot  about  six  inches  be- 
low the  throat,  in  front  of  the  neck,  and  over  the  region 
of  the  windpipe  ;  an  incision  is  to  be  made  with  a  com- 
mon penknife,  (in  lieu  of  a  better  mstrument,)  to  the  ex- 
tent of  two  or  three  inches,  in  a  downward  direction,  so 
as  to  lay  bare  the  trachea ;  having  exposed  s^Dace  suffi- 
cient, a  cii'cular  piece  between  two  rings,  corresponding 
to  the  size  of  the  tube,  is  to  be  cut  out,  and  a  short  tube 
inserted,  which  can  be  confined  in  position  by  means  of 
tape  i^assed  around  the  neck.  When  the  obstruction  is 
removed,  or  the  fances  restored  to  their  natural  state,, 
remove  the  tube,  bring  the  edges  of  the  integuments  to- 
gether, and  sew  them  up." — Dr.  Dadd. 


^  Physicing:  129; 

phtsicing. 

This  is  often  necessary — but  it  has  injured  the  consti- 
tution and  destroyed  thousands  of  animals,  when  unneces: 
sarily  or  improj^erly  resorted  to.  When  the  horse  comes 
from  grass  to  dry  feed,  or  from  the  open  air  to  the  heat- 
ed stable,  and  is  becoming  too  fat,  or  has  surfeit,  or  grease, 
or  mange,  or  is  out  of  condition  from  inactivity  of  the 
digestive  organs,  a  dose  of  physic  is  serviceable ;  but  the 
physicing  of  all  horses,  and  the  too  frequent  method  of 
exercising  the  animal  when  under  the  operation  of  physic, 
cannot  be  too  strongly  condemned. 

A  horse  should  be  carefully  prepared  for  the  action  of 
physic.  Mashes  should  be  given  until  the  dung  becomes 
softened.  Five  drachms  of  aloes,  given  when  the  dung 
has  thus  been  softened,  will  act  much  more  effectually 
and  much  more  safely  than  seven  drachms,  when  the 
lower  intestines  are  obstructed  by  hardened  dung. 

On  the  day  on  which  the  physic  is  given,  the  horse 
should  have  exercise,  but  after  the  physic  begins  to  work, 
he  should  not  be  moved  from  his  stall. 

A  little  hay  may  be  put  into  the  rack.  As  much  mash 
should  be  given  as  the  horse  will  eat,  and  as  much  water, 
with  the  coldness  of  it  taken  off,  as  he  will  drink.  If  he 
refuses  to  drink  warm  water,  it  is  better  that  he  should 
have  it  cold,  than  to  continue  without  taking  any  fluid ; 
but  in  such  case  he  should  not  be  suffered  to  take  more 
than  a  quart  at  a  time,  with  an  interval  of  at  least  an  hour 
between  each  draught.  The  cleansing  pov/der  will  be 
found  an  excellent  physic.  TheBarbadoes  aloes,  although 
sometimes  very  dear,  should  alone  be  used.  The  dose, 
with  a  horse  properly  prepared,  will  vary  from  four  to 
seven  drachms. 


130  The  Horse  Farrier. 

DOCKING. 

The  horsa's  tail  is  regarded  by  some  as  a  useless  appen- 
dage, and  fashion  requires  it  should  be  shortened.  The 
tail  was  given  to  the  horse  to  fight  the  blood-sucking 
flies.  There  can  be  no  question  of  its  utility  to  the  horse. 
To  dock  it,  deprives  hun  of  a  j^ortion  of  his  strength,  and 
he  has  no  protection  from  flies,  which  for  two  months  of 
the  year  are  exceedingly  annoying. 

"The  animal  should  be  cast,  and  brought  under  the 
influence  of  chloroform ;  the  point  of  amputation  having 
been  selected,  the  operator  feels  for  a  joint  or  articula- 
tion, just  posterior  to  which  he  commences  a  circular  in- 
cision, carrymg  the  knife  right  round  the  tail  to  the  point 
of  commencement,  cutting  down  to  the  fascia.  The  in- 
teguments are  then  to  be  forcibly  drawn  upwards,  while 
the  operator  disarticulates  the  joint  by  making  an  incis- 
ion right  through  it.  The  coccygeal  arteries  are  to  be 
drawn  out  with  a  pair  of  forceps,  and  secured  by  liga- 
ture. The  integuments,  instead  of  being  retracted  above 
the  lower  end  of  the  bone,  are  now  below  it,  and  thus 
can  be  made  to  protect  it  from  injuries.  Two  or  three 
stitches  are  now  needed  to  approximate  the  edges  of  the 
wound,  and  the  02)eration  is  finished,  without  much  loss 
of  blood,  and  with  little  if  any  pain  to  the  subject.  The 
after  treatment  is  A-^ery  simple  ;  cold  water,  or  some  tinc- 
ture of  aloes,  will  complete  the  cure.  If  they  should 
not,  owing  to  profuse  suppuration,  use  pyroligneous  acid, 
and  give  a  dose  of  medicine." 

NICKING. 

Nicking  is  another  fashionable  barbarism  that  very  few 
horses  escape.     The  world  of  horsemen  have  decided,  no 


Blazk  ok  Stau.  131 

tail  no  horse  ;  and  if  an  animal  docs  not  describe  an  an- 
gle of  forty-five  with  his  tail,  he  is  said  to  carry  none. 

The  usual  mode  of  operating,  is  to  make  a  sub-cuta- 
neous section  of  the  muscles,  the  use  of  which  is  to  de- 
press the  tail.  The  knife  is  introduced  as  near  to  the  an- 
us as  possible  on  one  side  of  the  tail,  between  the  bone 
and  muscle ;  then,  with  a  sort  of  sawing  motion — the 
back  of  the  knife  being  toAvards  the  bones — the  muscle 
is  divided,  which  may  be  known  by  the  edge  of  the  knife 
coming  in  contact  with  the  integuments.  This  is  repeat- 
ed on  the  other  side,  and  the  operation  is  finished.  The 
horse  is  generally  fettered  by  a  rope  from  the  neck,  se- 
cured to  each  hind  leg ;  he  has  also  a  twitch  on  the  nose. 
It  not  unfrequently  happens  that  horses  lose  an  enor- 
mous quantity  of  blood  after  the  operation  ;  but  that  re- 
sults from  want  of  anatomical  knowledge.  The  coccy- 
geal arteries  are  severed,  which  the  surgeon  knows  how 
to  avoid.  Amateur  operators  often  find  that  the  subject 
of  their  experiment  is  seized  with  locked-jaw ;  and  in 
other  cases  the  tail  curves  laterally  towards  the  body. 
In  the  former,  some  umiecessary  manghng  has  been  j^er- 
formed,  and  in  the  latter  case,  one  of  the  ctirvatores  coc- 
cygis  has  been  partly  or  wholly  severed,  wliich  allows  the 
associate  muscle  on  the  other  side  to  draw  the  tail  that 
way.     Hence  the  necessity  for  skillful  operators. 

BLAZE    OR   STAR. 

When  we  have  a  pair  of  horses  that  match  well  in  every 
respect,  except  that  one  has  a  blaze  or  star  in  the  face,  it 
becomes  very  mteresting  and  important  to  know  how  to 
make  their  faces  match. 

Take  a  piece  of  oznaburgs  the  size  you  want  the  blaze 
or  star :  spread  it  with  warm  pith  and  apply  it  to  the 


132  The  Hoese  Fareiee. 

horse's  face  :  let  it  remain  t^o  or  three  days,  by  which 
time  it  will  ?jring  off  the  hair  clean,  and  make  the  part  a 
little  tender ;  then  take  of  elixir  vitriol  a  small  quantity ; 
then  anoint  the  part  two  or  three  times ;  or,  of  a  very 
common  weed  called  asmart,  a  small  handful,  bruise  it 
and  add  to  it  about  a  gill  of  water,  use  it  as  a  wash  until 
the  face  gets  weU,  when  the  hair  will  grow  out  entirely 
white. 

TO  SPOT  A  WHITE  HOESE  WITH  BLACK  SPOTS. 

Take  Htharage,  three  ounces  ;  quick  lime,  six  ounces  ; 
beat  it  fine  and  mix  it  together ;  put  it  into  a  pan  and 
pour  a  sharp  ley  over  it ;  then  boil  it  and  you  will  have 
a  fat  substance  swim  on  toj),  with  which  anoint  the  horse 
in  such  places-  as  you.  design  to  have  black,  and  it  will 
turn  to  the  color  immediately. 

DESCEIPTION   OF   A   SKELETON?"    OE   A   HOESE. 

A  The  Head. 

a    The  posterior  maxillary  or  under  jaw. 

&  The  superior  maxillary  or  upper  jaw.  A  little  lower  down  than  the  letter  is  a 
foramen,  through  which  pass  the  nerves  and  blood-vessels  which  chiefly  sup- 
ply the  lower  part  of  the  face. 

c    The  orbit,  or  cavity  containing  the  eye. 

d    The  nasal  bones,  or  bones  of  the  nose. 

e    The  suture  dividing  the  parietal  bones  below  from  the  .occipital  bones  above. 

/    The  inferior  maxillary  bone,  containing  the  upper  incisior  teeth. 

B    The  Seven  Cervical  Vertebrte,  or  bones  of  the  neck. 

C    The  Eighteen  Dorsal  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  back. 

D    The  Six  Lumbar  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  loins. 

E    The  Five  Sacral  Vertebraa^,  or  bones  of  the  haunch. 

F    The  Caudal  Vertebra?,  or  boues  of  tlie  tail,  generally  about  fifteen. 

G    The  Scapula,  or  Shoulder-Blade. 

n    The  Sternum,  or  fore  part  of  the  chest. 

I  The  Costfe,  or  ribs,  seven  or  eight  articulating  with  the  sternum,  and  called  the 
tme  ribs,  and  ten  or  eleven  united  together  by  cartilage,  called  the/alse  riba. 

J-    The  Humerus,  or  upper  bone  of  the  arm. 

K    The  Eadius,  or  upper  bone  of  the  arm. 

L     The  Ulna,  or  elbow.    The  point  of  the  elbow  is  called  the  Olecranon. 

M    The  Carpus,  or  knee,  consisting  of  seven  bones. 

U  ,,  Tho,  Metacarpal  bones.  The  larger  metacarpal,  or  cannon,  or  shank  In  front,  and 
the  smaller  metacarpal,  or  spUnt  bone  behind. 


Skeleton  of  a  IIokse. 


133 


g  The  fore  pastern  and  foot,  consisting  of  the  Os  SufiFraginis,  or  the  upper  and 
larger  pastern  bone,  with  the  sesamoid  bones  behind,  articulating  with  the 
cannon  and  greater  pastern;  the  Os  Coronae,  or  lesser  pastern;  the  Os  Pedis, 
or  coffin  bone ;  and  the  Os  Naviculare,  or  Navicular,  or  shuttle-bone,  not  seen, 
and  articulating  with  the  smaller  pastern  and  coffin  bones. 

h     The  corresponding  bones  of  the  hind  feet. 

O    The  Haunch,  consisting  of  three  portions,  the  Ilium,  the  Ischium,  and  the  Pubis. 

P    The  Femur,  or  Thigh. 

Q    The  Stifle-joint  with  the  Patella. 

R    The  Tibia,  or  proper  leg  bone— behind  is  a  small  bone  called  the  fibula. 

S  The  Tarsus,  or  Hock,  composed  of  six  bones.  The  prominent  part  is  the  Os 
Calcis,  or  point  of  the  hock. 

T    The  Metatarsals  of  the  hind  'eg. 


CHAPTER   VII 


DISEASES   OF   THE   BRAIN,   RESPIRATORY  ORGANS  AND 
AIR   PASSAGES. 


STAGGERS   AND    APOPLEXY. 

A  want  of  balance  in  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
an  unnatural  quantity  going  to  the  brain,  so  overcomes 
its  energies  that  the  diseases  mentioned  at  the  head  of 
tliis  chapter  follow.  They  differ  only  in  degree,  and  may 
arise  from  different  conditions.  Where  the  annual  is  vig- 
orous, well  fed,  and  full  of  fluids,  active  congestion  will 
be  present,  but  when  j^oorly  fed,  and  reduced  in  flesh;  a 
loss  of  energy  of  the  bram  may  be  followed  by  passive 
congestion. 

Violent  exercise,  such  as  heavy  loads  and  hard  drives, 
tight  collars,  too  tight  curb  reins,  any  cause  that  forces 
too  much  blood  to  the  head  or  prevents  its  return  by  the 
viens,  may  be  causes  of  this  disease,  also  after  long  fasting; 
too  much  food  unnaturally  distending  tjie  stomach,  sym- 
pathetically affecting  the  brain,  ^^ill  produce  it. 

STAGGERS. 

Megrims  is  the  mildest  of  these  affections. 

Symptoms.^— When  the  horse  is  drawn  quickly,  he  will 
stop  suddenly,  shake   the  head  and  show   symptoms  of 


Ap()1'L!:xy.  135 

giddmes?s.  This  may  soon  pass  over  and  he  may  go  on  as 
if  nothing  had  occurred.  If  more  serious,  he  may  fall  to 
the  ground  or  suddenly  turn  several  times  around  first; 
he  may  lie  quiet,  or  struggle  violently.  If  it  be  a  horse 
of  full  habit,  well  fed,  three  or  four  quarts  of  blood  better 
be  drawn  at  once. 

Treatment — Cease  using  him  for  a  time,  give  mild 
physic,  such  as  physic  ball,  powdered  aloes,  6  drachms,  a 
little  honey  to  make  the  pow^der  tenacious  enough  to  ad- 
minister, physic  or  drench  pulverized  aloes,  6  drachms, 
syrup  of  bucthorn,  1  ounce,  tincture  ginger,  1  ounce,  or  cro- 
ton  oil  from  20  to  30  drops.  Give  an  occasional  laxitive 
ball,  powdered  aloes,  3  drachms,  powdered  sulphur,  1  do., 
powdered   mandrake  2  do. 

To  be  formed  into  a  bolus  with  honey  or  mucilage. 
Stop  hearty  and  dry  feed,  and  let  mashes  and  green  feed 
be  substituted.  If  not  cured  at  first,  the  animal  will  be 
useless,  as  the  diseased  action  wdll  become  fixed.  Severe 
cold  weather  in  winter,  by  determining  the  blood  to  the 
brain,  predisposes  to  this  disease. 

APOPLEXY. 

Apoplexy  is  a  serious  forx-i  of  the  diseases  we  have 
mentioned. 

The  Symptoms  which  mark  its  approach  are  loss  of 
appetite,  dullness,  stupidity,  a  somewhat  staggering  gait, 
he  stands  with  his  head  down,  or  rests  it  on  his  manger 
and  seems  balancing  and  ready  as  often  he  does  to  sud- 
denly fall,  he  is  sleepy,  eye  dull,  he  chews  his  lock  of 
hay  for  a  moment  and  relapses  into  a  stupor;  as  the  dis- 
ease advances  his  breathing  becomes  slow,  loud  and 
labored,  the  pulse  is  slow,  the  veins  in  the  neck  full,  the 
mouth  cold,  and  death  closes  the  scene. 

Post  mortem  examination  of  the  brain  reveals  a  highly 
congested  condition  of  the  bloodvessels  of  the  bram. 

The  Treatment. — Bleed  very  copiously,  if  the 
horse  be  strong  and  vigorous,  followed  by  active  purging, 
with  such  articles  as  we  have  indicated  in  megrims  or 
staggers,  together  with  rest   and  light  food.     If  the  anir 


136  The  Horse  Farriek, 

mal  be  naturally  feeble,  if  bled  it  had  better  be  sparingly 
and  be  content  with  physic  and  laxatives.  One  grain  of 
strychnine,  3  times  a  day,  might  give  tone  to  the  nervous 
system  combined  with  1 2  grains  of  flowers  of  zinc.  The 
animal  probably  will  never  be  fit  for  hard  service. 

PHRENTIS  OK   INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 

By  Phrentis  we  understand  inflammation  of  the  sub- 
stance of  the  brain  and  its  investing  membranes. 

Symptoms. — Hanging  of  the  head,  dullness,  watery 
eyes,  and  sleepiness  ;  he  is  letharic,  droops  his  head ;  if 
aroused,  he  stares  around  and  then  slumbers  again.  This 
state  does  not  ordinarily  last  but  a  few  hours,  or  at  most 
afew  days.  A  new  train  of  symptoms  manifest  themselves. 
He  is  wide  awake,  to  sound  his  ears  are  up  and  his  eyes 
glare,  he  is  restless,  paws  and  moves  about,  whinners, 
dashes,  plunges,  bites  and  kicks;  thus  he  continues  until 
water  compresses  the  brain  or  its  substance  suffers  lesion, 
when  exhaustion,  stupor  and  sleep,  show  a  tendency  to  a 
fatal  issue. 

Treatment. — Bleed  freely,  purge  freely.  There  is  no 
disease  that  will  bear  copious  purging  with  so  much 
benefit  as  the  one  of  which  we  are  treating. 

HYDROPHOBIA  OR   MADNESS. 

This  alarming  and  fatal  disease  results  from  the  bite 
of  a  rabid  animal,  as  the  dog,  cat,  or  wolf. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  stops,  looks  round,  staggers 
and  falls.  He  rises  soon  again,  staggers  and  falk,  soon 
he  becomes  furious,  stamping  and  biting,  and  endeav- 
oring to  demohsh  everything  around  him.  Like  the 
human  being,  the  horse  has  a  dread  of  water — the  dread 
seems  to  arise  from  the  severe  spasms  of  the  muscles 
called  into  action  in  the  act  of  diglutition,  and  not  from 
any  dread  of  the  water  by  itself  considered.  When  fully 
estabhshed,  this  disease  is  considered  incurable. 

When  it  is  known  that  the  animal  has  been  bitten, 
cauterize  the  wound  freely  and  deeply  with  nitrate  of 
silver,  wash  it  out  with  chloride  of  soda. 


InKI.UENZA    UR    lIoliSE-xVlL.  137 

The  disease  may  remain  latent  for  weeks  or  months 
before  showing  itself,  hence  the  necessity  of  closely 
watching  the  animal,  if  bitten  or  supposed  to  be  bitten, 
for  some  time.  Scullcap  has  Avon  some  reputation  as  a 
preventive,  when  an  animal  was  bitten,  but  it  has  lost  its 
reputation. 

INFLUENZA    OR    HOKSE-AIL. 

This  disease  is  most  prevalent  in  cold,  ungenial  weath- 
er, and  is  most  frequent  in  the  spruig  —  a  cold,  wet 
spring  —  and  especially  among  young  horses,  and  those 
in  high  condition,  or  made  up  for  sale,  or  that  have  been 
kept  in  hot  stables ;  more  generally  in  cities  where  a 
large  number  are  kept.  If  a  horse  can  pass  through  this 
disease  and  come  out  right  side  up,  he  can  be  safely 
recommended  as  one  having  been  through  the  mill.  It 
is,  beyond  doubt,  contagious  —  sometimes  raging  over 
large  districts,  so  that  scarcely  a  stable  escapes,  and  at 
others,  being  confined  to  a  neighborhood. 

Symptoms. — Of  these  there  is  a  great  variety  at  its 
commencement.  The  first  symptom  is,  debility.  The 
horse  appears  durnpisli,  refuses  to  eat,  mouth  hot,  pulse 
quick ;  in  the  course  of  six  or  twelve  hours,  the  pulse  in- 
creases, appetite  diminishes,  legs  and  eye-lids  swell,  (usu- 
ally increase  to  about  the  third  day.)  This  disease  may 
end  in  distemper,  chronic  cough,  a  bad  discharge  from 
the  nose,  and  inveterate  cases  in  glanders. 

Treatment. — Give  the  animal  the  benefit  of  a  pure  at- 
mosphere. If  the  limbs  are  cold,  give  them  a  good  rub- 
bing. If  the  pulse  is  full  and  strong,  (not  otherwise,) 
bleed  with  care.  In  some  cases,  it  would  be  advisable 
to  bleed  from  the  eye,  or  mouth.  Strict  attention  should 
be  paid  to  the  diet.  ISTo  grain  but  mashes,  gruel  substi- 
tuted for  water;  scalded  shorts,  green  grass,  and  carrots, 
if  they  can  be  procured,  if  not,  hay,  offered  with  the  hand, 
dipped  in  Avater  salted.  In  some  cases,  it  is  necessary 
to  force  them  to  eat,  or  give  them  an  injection  of  gruel. 


138    .  The  Hoese  FapwKikr. 

A  plethoric  horse  should  be  half  starved.  If  the  throat 
is  sore,  rub  it  with  warm  vinegar  and  salt,  or  blister ; 
steam  the  nostrils,  to  encourage  the  discharge  ;  walk  the 
horse  a  little,  for  exercise ;  administer  the  foUovvdng : 
Oil  of  Croton,  five  drops ;  Nitrate  of  potassa,  4  to  6 
drachms  ;  Potassio-tartrate  of  antimony,  1  drachm ;  spir- 
it of  nitric  ether,  4  drachms  to  1  ounce ;  solution  of 
acetate  of  ammonia,  2  to  4  ounces;  warm  water  suf- 
ficient to  make  a  draught. 

Sometimes  four  drachms  of  bi-tartrate  of  potassa  may 
be  added  to  the  above ;  and,  when  the  head  appeared 
much  afi'ected,  a  drachm  of  camphor.  This  draught  may 
generally  be  administered  once,  but  sometimes  twice  a 
day,  the  croton  oil  being  omitted  after  the  first  dose : 
after  the  first  day,  two  drachms  of  powdered  gentian  may 
be  added  ;  and  after  the  second  or  third  day,  a  ball  may 
be  substituted  for  the  draught,  consisting  of :  nitrate  of 
potassa,  3  drachms ;  potassio-tartrate  of  antimony,  1 
drachm  ;  powdered  gentian  root,  2  drachms ;  powdered 
pimento  berries,  1  drachm ;  treacle  sufiicient  to  form  a 
baU. 

SPASMS  OF  THE   LARYNX   AND   LARYNGITIS. 

The  larynx  is  an  irregular  cartilaginous  tube,  forming  the 
upper  extremity  of  the  wind  pipe,  and  is  the  organ 
which  produces  that  pecuhar  sound  called  7ieighing.  It 
affords  free  passage  in  its  normal  state  for  respiration, 
and  also  attachment  for  numerous  muscles.  Its  internal 
cavities  are  protected  by  the  common  membrane  termed 
mucous^  which  at  times  become  the  seat  of  a  disease 
known  as  laryngitis. 

The  disease  appears  to  be  analogous  to  croup  (in  the 
human  family.)  Spasm  of  the  larynx  may  result  from  a 
mucous  affection,'  induced  by  indigestion. 

Symtoms  of  Spasm  of  the  Larnyx. — Sometimes  the 
disease  manifests  itself  in  a  moment,  as  it  were,  with  a 
most  terrible  severity ;  the   animal   begins   to   gasp   for 


Spasms  of  the  Larynx  and  Laryngitis.       139 

breath ;  the  eyeballs  protrude,  and  the  neck  is  carried 
in  a  line  with  the  buck ;  the  flanks  heave  with  most 
excessive  violence,  and  every  time  the  poor  beast  uispii-es 
air,  a  sound  is  emitted,  which  will  vary  in  its  character 
and  intensity  according  to  the  vigor  of  tlie  spasm.  As 
the  disease  proceeds,  the  general  symptoms  become  more 
violent — the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  assumes 
a  purple  color  ;  the  annual  becomes  partially  unconscious; 
he  rushes  wildly  from  place  to  place,  as  though  seeking 
in  vain  for  aid ;  the  body  becomes  suffused  with  streamy 
perspiration.  Youatt  says,  in  acute  laryngitis  the  blood 
must  be  abstracted,  from  the  jugular  vein,  copiously, 
depending  on  the  degree  of  inflammation,  and  not  for- 
getting that  he  has  to  do  with  inflammation  of  the  mu- 
cous inonibrane,  and  that  what  he  does  he  must  do 
quici^'  •  ;  bleed,  until  the  pulse  flutters  or  the  constitution 
is  evidently  affected. 

Xext  must  be  given  the  fever  medicine,  the  digitalis, 
nitre,  and  emetic  tartar,  with  aloes.  Aloes  may  here  be 
safely  given,  because  the  chest  is  not  yet  impflcated.  To 
this  must  be  added,  and  immediately,  a  bUster,  and  a 
sharp  one.  The  surgeon  is  sure  of  the  part,  and  he  can 
bring  his  counter-irritant  almost  into  contact  with  it. 

Treatment. — Nauseants,  counter-irritants  and  trach- 
eotomy are  the  principal  agents,  in  view  of  immediate 
rehef.  When  the  patient  is  attacked  suddenly,  and 
shows  all  the  worst  features  of  the  disease,  he  can  only 
be  reUeved  by  a  surgical  operation  called  tracheotomy. 
The  operation  is  not  considered  a  dangerous  one,  yet  the 
services  of  a  qualified  person  are  indisi)ensable ;  as  also 
in  cases  which  result  from  the  presence  of  morbid 
growths  in  the  ^deinity  of  the  larynx,  surgical  skill  must 
be  sought.  Lobelia  is  considered  a  very  good  relaxant ; 
it  is  extolled  very  highly  by  some  physicians  for  the  cure 
of  asthmatical  complaints,  and  for  relaxing  rigid  parts  ; 
it  has  been  used  for  a  number  of  years  on  all  classes  of  do- 
mestic animals,  and  we  considerit  avaluable anti-spasmodic. 
A  strong  infusion  of  lobelia  can  be  brought  in  contact 
with  the  horse's  nostrils  by  means  of  a  sponge,  and  perhaps 


140  The  Horse  Farrier. 

prove  as  beneficial  as  ether.  Counter  irritants,  applied 
externally  in  the  region  of  the  throat  and  chest,  are  gen- 
erally recommended;  the  common  hartshorn  liniment, 
essence  of  mustard,  or  a  mixture  composed  of  equal  parts 
of  olive  oil,  tincture  of  capsicum,  and  lobelia,  are  among 
the  most  efiicient  remedies  for  this  jDurpose.  The  rectum 
must  be  kept  empty,  by  stimulating  clysters ;  all  food  to 
be  withheld  until  the  worst  symptoms  are  past,  when 
some  thm  gruel,  sweetened  with  honey,  may  be  allowed, 
cold  or  warm,  as  the  season  permits,  very  good  for  re- 
lieving laryngitis,  applied  by  means  of  si^onges  to  the 
throat. 

In  chronic  cases,  when  the  glandular  organs  around 
the  throat  are  swollen,  a  stimulating  liniment  will  be  in- 
dicated, Vvdiich  should  be  rubbed  in,  night  and  morning, 
the  animal  to  have  a  nutritious  diet,  and  to  be  drenched 
as  follows :  Balsam  of  fir,  1  ounce,  sweet  spirits  of 
nitre,  2  ounces,  syrup  of  garlic,  4  ounces,  mix. 

Dose. — One  sixth  part  to  be  given  every  night  in  a 
pint  of  thin  gruel. 

PNEUMON^IA  OR  INFLAMMATION"  OF   THE  LUNGS. 

In  this  disease  there  are  three  well  marked  stages. 

1st.  That  of  congestion. 

2d.  When  inflammation  is  fully  develoi^ed. 

3d.  That  of  suppuration  or  formation  of  matter. 

In  the  1st  stage  the  vessels  are  merely  engorged  with 
blood  and  the  air-cells  partly  filled  with  a  sero-mucus 
bloody  efluision. 

In  the  2d  stage  the  disease  in  the  lungs  has  advanced 
and  a  plastic  extravasation  has  taken  place  in  the  air- 
cells,  and  the  tissue  connecting  them  are  filled  with  a 
bloody  concrete  lymj^h. 

In  the  3d  stage  the  i^lace  of  the  plastic  secretion  has 
been  supj)lied  by  a  purulent  fluid. 

The  disease  may  affect  one  lung  or  both,  being  much 
more  grave  in  the  latter  case. 


PNEUMOInIA  ok  INi'LAMMA'ilON  OF  THE  LUNGS.       141 

The  causes  of  pneumonia,  are  sudden  transitions  from 
heat  to  cold,  a  change  from  a  warm  stable  to  a  colder  one; 
the  most  frequent  is  leaving  the  horse  to  stand  m  a  brisk 
wind,  after  hard  driving,  or  being  in  a  free  perspiration. 
This  sudden  check  to  perspiration  causes  the  blood  to 
recede  from  the  surface  and  crowds  it  liurtfuUy  on  inter- 
nal parts,  producing  bronchitis,  pneumonia  or  pleurisy. 

Symptoms. — It  is  usually  ushered  in  by  a  shivering  fit, 
the  horse  is  cold  all  over,  reaction  after  a  time  takes 
place  and  the  body  becomes  warmer  than  natural,  but 
the  extremities  remain  intensely  cold ;  this  condition 
peculiarly  marks  the  disease;  it  is  an  early  symptom  com- 
mencing in  its  incipient  or  formmg  stage.  The  pulse 
at  first  is  often  oppressed  and  obscure,  without  much 
acceleration  in  its  motion.  The  breathing  is  quick ;  he 
feels  the  need  of  pure  air,  for  the  air  cells  being  more 
or  less  obstructed,  the  atmospheric  air  is  not  brought  in 
contact  with,  the  blood,  to  eftect  in  the  latter  that 
change  so  essential  to  fife;  the  animal  refuses  to  fie  down 
because  every  muscle  that  aids  in  respiration  is  called 
into  action,  and  those  of  the  spine  and  shoulders  can 
be  used  more  advantageously  as  he  stands. 

If  when  wearied  out  he  lies  down,  it  is  but  for  a  mo- 
ment. 

It  may  be  regarded  as  a  favorable  symptom  to  find 
m  the  morning  that  the  horse  vras  down  durmg  the 
night. 

It  may  not  be  an  easy  matter  to  disthiguish  pneu- 
monia from  pleurisy,  and  in  fact  they  are  often  united. 

Pleurisy  is  a  more  acutely  painful  disease  ;  auscultation 
here  would  be  valuable. 

In  ])ueumonia  healtliy  murmur  is  changed  to  a  crepita- 
ting or  crackling  sound,  and  wherever  heard  will  indicate 
tlie  extent  of  the  disease. 

As  the  disease  advances  and  lym[)th  is  poured  out,  the 
Jung  becom.es  hepatiz.od  or  hard  like  liver,  and  over  such 
points  no  respiratory  murmur  will  be  heard,  for  no  air 
permeates  such  portions.     By  a  careful  comparison  of  res- 


142  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

piration  on  each  side  of  the  horse,  you  may  know  very  sat- 
isfactorily whether  one  or  both  lungs  are  diseased. 

If  the  disease  still  progresses,  those  inflamed  and  heap- 
atized  portions  sappurate,  an  abscess  forms,  and  matter 
may  be  discharged  by  coughing. 

In  pleurisy,  the  air  cells  are  not  implicated,  and  the  res- 
piratory murmur  will  be  heard  at  first  over  the  whole  of 
the  lungs.  (The  reader  will  beai'  in  mind  that  the  thin 
membrane  which  covers  the  lungs  and  lines  the  in- 
side of  the  chest  is  called  the  pleura,  and  that  in- 
flammation of  this  membrane  is  pleurisy.)  A  dry  friction 
sound  will  be  heard  in  the  commencement  of  pleurisy. 
Plastic  lympth  may  exude  fi*om  the  inflamed  surface,  or 
the  vessels  may  relieve  themselves  by  pouring  out  water 
between  the  lung  and  side,  the  respiratory  murmur  disap- 
pearing in  proportion  as  the  water  a<;cumulates. 

Treatment. — This  may  be  commenced  by  a  good 
bleeding,  but  to  be  of  much  service  it  should  be  done  at 
the  commencement  of  the  disease,  foUoAved  by  emetic 
tartar  and  nitre.  A  drachm  of  the  former  and  three  of  the 
latter  every  eight  hours,  equalize  the  circulation,  by  rub- 
bing the  extremities,  giving  light  laxitive  food,  as  bran 
mashes  ;  throw  warm  blankets  over  the  animal,  hanging 
down  to  the  floor,  and  place  vessels  of  hot  water  in  which 
put  hot  stones  or  bricks,  and  sweat  freely,  also  opium  and 
calomel,  one  scruple  of  the  former  and  two  of  the  latter 
twice  a  day.  The  sides  of  the  chest  may  be  thoroughly 
blistered,  the  irritation  on  the  surface  diverting  the  in- 
flammation from  the  lungs. 

There  is  another  article  very  efiicient  in  this  disease  in 
the  human  subject,  and  I  think  it  must  operate  equally 
favorable  on  animals.  I  refer  to  the  Yeratrum  Virid»3. 
The  tincture,  as  prepared  by  Dr.  W.  C.  Norwood,  or  the 
extract,  as  prepared  by  Tilden  &  Co.,  IST.  Y. 

This  medicmo  may  confidently  be  relied  on  to  control 
the  actions  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  reducing  the  pulse 
in  the  human  subject  from  120  beats  in  a  minute  to  60 
or  even  40. 

In  giving   this    remedy,   the  pulse  should  be  closely 


PlI':ciiisy.  143 

watched,  and  when  down  to  the  natural  standard,  discon- 
tinued until  it  begins  to  arise  again ;  probably  from  twenty 
to  sixty  drops  every  four  hours,  until  it  produces  slow- 
ness of  pulse,  would  be  an  appropriate  dose ;  should  much 
weakness  follow  an  over  dose,  a  dose  or  two  of  spirits 
vrould  overcome  the  j^rostration. 

It  must  be  observed  here  that  cathartic  medicine  in 
this  disease  must  be  used  with  great  caution,  and  a  com- 
mon fault  is  to  do  too  much ;  the  restoruig  powers  of  na- 
ture are  ignored,  dose  follows  dose  in  unjustifiable  rapid- 
ity ;  blood  is  shed  v>^ith  fearful  profusion,  and  the  suffering 
animal  sinks  under  the  combined  attack  of  disease  and 
injudicious  treatment. 

In  regard  to  blood  letting,  as  we  said  at  the  commence- 
ment, one  judicious  abstraction  of  blood  would  be  advi- 
sable ;  its  repetition  would  depend  upon  the  strength  of 
the  pulse  and  appearance  of  the  blood  first  drawn  ;  if  this 
is  free  from  a  sizy  thick  buffy  coat,  its  repetition  is 
uncalled  for,  neither  will  the  opposite  condition  always  war- 
rant it.  Rowels  and  setons  are  too  slow  in  their  oj^era- 
tion  to  meet  the  urgent  symptoms,  and  are  only  beneficial 
when  the  disease  becomes  chronic. 

PLEURISY. 

The  treatment  proper  for  pneumonia,  as  a  general  rule, 
will  be  applicable  to  pleurisy.  Bleedkig  is  called  for  more 
urgently  in  the  latter  disease,  and  wiU  be  better  borne 
than  in  pure  inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  if  Avater  accumu- 
late-m  the  chest,  the  case  is  not  hopeless ;  a  powder,  com- 
posed of  squill,  calomel,  and  nitre,  rej^eated  three  or  four 
times  a  day,  will  accelerate  the  absorption  of  the  fluid ; 
blisters  also  to  the  chest  will  be  appropriate. 

After  recovery  from  either  of  these  diseases,  the  patient 
should  be  treated  with  care  and  great  tenderness  for  some 
time ;  all  hard  exercises,  fast  drives  and  exposures  to  wet 
or  cold,  should  be  sedulously  guarded  against,  by  giving 
the  parts  diseased    time    to    heal    and   become   sound; 


144  The  Hokse  Faeriek. 

chronic    irritations   indicated  by   short    breathing    and 
troublesome  coughs,  will  be  avoided. 

CON'SirMPTION'. 

This  malady  extends  alike  to  horses  as  to  human  sub- 
jects. It  is  not  hereditary,  but  the  conformations  which 
lead  to  this  disease  are,  and  thus  far  the  disease. 

If  a  narrow-chested,  flat-sided  horse  is  attacked  by  in- 
flammation of  the  lungs,  or  severe  catarrhal  fever,  ex- 
perience tells  us  that  we  shall  have  more  difiiculty  in  sub- 
duing the  disease  in  him,  than  in  one  deeper  in  the  girth 
or  rounder  in  the  chest. 

If  such  animals,  however,  are  used  in  the  country  where 
they  have  the  advantage  of  pure  air,  simple  yet  nutri- 
tious food,  and  judicious  management,  they  may  live  to 
the  average  age  of  horses  generally.  There  are  locations 
that  are '  favorable  to  the  development  of  consumption, 
such  as  low,  v/et  lands,  where  the  humid  atmosphere  pre- 
vents a  full  and  free  evaporation  of  the  insensible  per- 
spiration ;  such  an  atmosphere  is  no  less  injurious  than 
that  of  a  crowded,  unventilated  stable. 

The  principal  cause  of  this  disease  mil  be  found  in  the 
evils  of  domestication.  IsTumerous  instances  have  been 
known  where  the  horse  and  cattle  that  have  been  subject 
to  these  and  kindred  diseases  have  entirely  recovered  by 
their  removal  from  low,  damp  stables  to  dry,  warm  and 
airy  ones. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  sadly  emaciated — he  long 
continues  so — his  coat  stares — his  skin  clings  to  his  ribs 
— his  belly  is  tucked  up,  notv/ithstanding  that  he  may 
have  plenty  of  mashes,  and  carrots,  and  green  meat,  and 
medicine — his  former  gaiety  and  spirit  do  not  return,  or 
if  he  is  willing  to  work,  he  is  easily  tired,  sweating  on 
the  least  exertion,  and  the  sweat  most  profuse  about  the 
chest  and  sides — his  appetite  is  not  restored,  or,  perhaps, 


Strangles  oii  IIokse  Distempek.  145 

never  has  been  good,  and  the  slightest  exertion  puts  him 
completely  off  his  feet.  The  Hanks  heave  a  little  more 
laboriously — heaving  is  painfully  quickened  when  sudden 
exertion  is  required — he  coughs  sorely,  and  discharges 
from  the  nose  a  mucus  thiged  Avith  blood,  or  a  fluid  de- 
cidedly purulent — the  breath  becomes  offensive — the 
pulse  is  always  above  40,  and  strangely  increased  by  the 
slightest  exertion. 

Treatment. — If  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  a  run  of 
grass  may  be  tried — invigorate  the  system  by  good  nu- 
tritious food — gentle  exercise,  pure  air,  and  if  the  weath- 
er be  cold,  vrarm  clothing,  Avith  the  addition  of  oat-meal, 
pea-meal,  Imseed-meal,  wheat  flour,  mixed  with  a  hberal 
quantity  of  salt — this  will  aid  digestion,  and  abstract  fluids 
from  the  body.  Should  the  excrements  be  voided  with 
diliiculty  or  knotty,  an  injection  of  soap  and  water  will 
be  advisable.  Milk  should  be  given  about  one  quart  per 
day.  In  case  of  great  prostration,  milk  should  be  given 
with  care.  The  digestive  apparatus  may  be  involved  in 
the  deterioration  of  the  system,  and  be  unable  to  digest 
the  fatty  constituent,  (butter ;)  hence,  in  the  exhibition 
of  a  daily  allowance  of  milk,  attention  must  be  paid  to 
the  nutritive  function,  or  such  a  simple  article  as  milk 
may  prove  a  barrier  to  affecting  a  cure.  In  such  a  case, 
to  one  pint  of  milk  add  two  ounces  of  lime  water — give 
twice  a  day. 

For  the  medical  treatment  of  this  disease  use  phosphate 
of  lime — powdered  bloodroot — powdered  pleurisy  root — 
powdered  Indian  turnip — powdered  goldenseal,  2  ounces 
of  each — powdered  slippery  elm,  1  pomid — mix,  and  di- 
vide the  mass  into  twenty-four  powders ;  one  to  be  given 
in  the  food  every  night. 

STRANGLES  OR  HORSE  DISTEMPER. 

This  disease  is  principally  incident  to  young  horses — 
usually  appearing  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  year,  and 
oftenerinthe  spring  than  at  any  other  time — it  occasionally 
attacks  old  animals.  Few  horses  escape  its  attack ;  but, 
the  disease  having  passed  over,  the  animal  is  free  from  it 


146  The  Hokse  Fakkihr. 

for  the  remainder  of  his  hfe.  This  disease  is  usually  con- 
sidered contagious,  but  we  are  not  clear  on  this  point,  but 
it  will  be  well  to  separate  the  patient  from  healthy  ani- 
mals. This  we  would  recommend  in  ali  cases  of  catarrhal 
affection. 

Symptoms. — It  is  is  generally  preceded  by  cough  with 
a  discharge  from  the  nostrils  of  a  yellowish  color,  mixed 
with  pus,  generally  without  smell,  the  membrane  of  the 
nose  intensely  red,  a  swelling  under  the  throat  which  in- 
creases, accompanied  by  a  fever — a  disinclination  to  eat 
— a  considerable  thirst,  but  after  a  gulp  or  two  the  horse 
ceases  to  drink.  In  attempting  to  swallow,  a  convulsive 
cough  comes  on,  which  threatens  to  suffocate  the  animal, 
mouth  hot ;  tongue  coated  with  white  fur.  The  tumor 
under  the  jaw  and  about  the  centre  of  the  channel  soon 
fills  the  whole  space,  and  is  evidently  one  uniform  body, 
and  may  thus  be  distinguished  from  glanders,  or  the  en- 
larged glands  of  catarrh.  In  a  few  days  it  becomes  more 
prominent  and  soft,  and  evidently  contams  a  fluid.  This 
rapidly  increases  ;  the  tumor  bursts,  and  a  great  quan- 
tity of  pus  is  discharged.  As  soon  as  the  tumor  has  bro- 
ken, the  cough  subsides,  and  the  horse  speedily  mends, 
although  some  degree  of  weakness  may  hang  about  him 
for  considerable  time. 

Treatment. — As  soon  as  the  tumor  under  the  jaw  is 
decidedly  apjiarent,  the  part  should  be  actively  blistered. 
It  should  be  washed  ofl'  as  soon  as  it  rises,  and  if  repeated  in 
a  day  or  two,  this  will  abate  the  internal  inflammation 
and  soreness  of  the  throat  aud  promote  the  suppurative 
process ;  (when  the  glands  remain  hard  and  do  not  suppu- 
rate, it  may  lead  to  glanders,  in  which  case  the  use  of 
Iodine  Ointment  as  an  outward  ai^plication  and  hydrio date 
of  potash  in  daily  doses  of  ten  to  forty  grains,  combined 
with  tonics  will  be  found  useful  as  an  internal  application.) 

As  soon  as  the  swelling  is  soft  on  its  summit,  and  evi- 
dently contains  matter,  it  should  be  freely  and  deeply 
lanced,  after  which  apply  a  Imseed  poultice.  If  the  in- 
cision is  deep  and  large  enough,  no  second  collection  of 


Bronchitis.  147 

matter  will  be  formed:  and  that  which  is  already  there 
may  be  suffered  to  run  out  slowly,  all  pressure  with  the 
fingers  being  avoided.  The  part  should  be  kept  clean. 
The  appetite  will  return  with  the  opening  of  the  abscess. 
Bran-mashes,  or  fresh  cut  grass  should  be  liberally  sup- 
pUed,  which  will  not  only  afford  sufficient  nourishment  to 
recruit  the  strength  of  the  animal,  but  keep  the  bowels 
gently  open.  If  the  weakness  is  not  great,  no  farther 
medicine  will  be  wanted,  except  a  dose  of  mild  physic,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  swellings  or  eruptions  which  some- 
times succeed  to  strangles.  In  cases  of  debility,  a  small 
quantity  of  tonic  medicine,  as  camomile,  gentian,  or 
ginger  may  be  administered. 

No.  2.  Bleed  and  physic  ;  if  it  does  not  break,  apply 
the  General  Lmiment,  or  the  White  Ointment ;  after  it 
has  broke,  give  the  Cleansing  Powder  for  ten  or  twelve 
days  in  mashes. 

No.  3.  Give  one  half  pound  of  glauder-salts  for  six 
days,  dissolved  in  hot  water,  and  mix  with  meal.  If  the 
disease  is  very  bad,  bleed,  3  or  4  quarts. 

No.  4.  Homoepathic  treatment.  Fever  symptoms. 
Aconite,  10  to  15  drops,  once  an  hour,  when  allayed, 
arsenicum,  12  to  15  drops. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Yeterinarians  recognize  this  disease  under  three  as- 
pects, viz : 

1.  Acute,  as  when  the  horse  is  suddenly  attacked  with 
an  irritable  cough  and  sore  throat ;  a  quick,  wiry  pulse  ; 
membranes  of  the  nose  and  mouth  redder  than  usual ; 
accelerated  respiration  ;  great  anxiety  of  countenance, 
&c.,  &c. 

2.  Chronic  bronchitis,  which  sets  in  after  the  acute 
has  subsided;  this  stage  is  marked  by  a  discharge  ot 
watery  and  sometimes  mucous  fluid  from  the  nose ;  the 
act  of  respiration  is  performed  with  a  sort  of  wheezing 
noise,  of  which  they  are  somewhat  relieved  in  the  act 
of  coughmg. 


148  The  Horse  Farrier. 

3.  The  tliird  variety  has  been  named  epidemiG  hron- 
chilis^  This  variety  is  remarkable  for  the  emission  of 
copious  discharges  from  the  nose,  at  one  time  turning 
yellow,  at  another  green,  and  then  again  Avhite.  In  this 
form  the  disorder  is  exceedingly  apt  to  assume  the 
chronic  type,  and,  after  continuing  for  a  length  of  time, 
to  leave  the  animal  reduced  in  flesh,  and  much  debilitated. 
Heaves  may  be  the  result  of  bronchitis,  which  leaves; 
the  upper  air  passages  in  a  contracted  state,  or  else  thick 
ens  their  lining  membrane.  The  natural  termination  of 
this  disease,  if  unchecked,  is  in  pneumonia. 

Treat^ient,  in  the  active  stage,  may  be  the  same  as  in 
pneumonia  or  drachm  doses  of  powdered  lobelia  seeds 
twice  a  day,  with  warmth  and  moisture  to  the  external 
surface  until  we  know  that  it  has  taken  efl*ectfrom  the  soft- 
ness of  the  pulse,  by  demulcent,  such  as  slippery  elm. 
Counter  irritants  applied  in  the  vicinity  of  the  throat  or 
chest  will  afford  relief;  when  a  relaxing  effect  is  desired, 
use  one  pmt  of  vinegar  to  2  ounces  of  powdered  lobelia  ; 
let  it  w^arm  over  a  slow  fire,  and  apply  to  the  throat  two 
or  three  times  a  day  ;  encircle  the  throat  with  a  piece  of 
soft  flannel.  Keep  the  bowels  loose  by  sloppy  diet,  sea- 
soned with  salt.  Fine  feed  scalded  and  given  to  the  animal 
while  warm,  is  beneficial,  or  instead  of  the  above  a  blis- 
ter applied  over  the  brisket  and  sides,  and  up  the  trached 
to  the  larynx,  will  afibrd  relief.  The  use  of  setons  in  the 
brisket  near  the  termination  of  the  windpipe  are  of  ma- 
terial service. 

CATARRH. 

Catarrh  frequently  arises  from  exposures,  or  changes 
so  triflmg,  that  they  would  not  be  supposed  of  the  least 
importance  by  one  unaccustomed  to  horses.  Some  sup- 
pose that  cold  and  exposure  are  the  sole  causes  of  catarrh ; 
yet  it  is  a  well-known  fict,  that  many  horses  take  cold, 
even  though   they  have   not,  within  several  days,    some 


Nasal  Gleet.  149 

times  weeks,  been  in  a  situation  where  cold  could  be 
taken  after  tins  flishion ;  in  short,  have  not  left  their  warm, 
comfortable  stables.  But  we  must  remember  that  a 
high  temperature  is  just  as  likely  to  bring  on  a  cold  as 
any  other  cause,  especially  when  the  subject  has  been 
liberally  fed  ;  catarrh,  in  general,  oftener  arises  from  heat 
than  cold.  But  an  insalubrious  atmosphere  may  be  set 
down  as  the  chief  cause  of  common  colds. 

SYirpTOifS. — A  discharge  from  the  nostrils,  increased 
redness  of  the  membrane,  lining  the  nostrils  ;  oozing  of 
tears  from  the  corners  of  the  eyes  ;  swellings  underneath 
the  jaws;  snorting;  cough,  with  or  without  febrile 
disorder. 

Treatmext. — If  the  patient  is  in  good  flesh  and  the 
weather  is  favorable,  he  may  be  turned  out  on  green  food 
in  the  day  time,  and  taken  up  at  night,  and  a  brand  mash 
given.  If  the  weather  be  cold,  let  the  patient  have  com- 
fortable quarters,  a  good  bed  blanket,  legs  rubbed  and 
then  bandaged  with  flannel ;  for  diet,  scalded  shorts.  The 
soreness  of  the  throat  may  be  removed  by  the  following : 
Olive  oil,  8  ounces,  oil  of  cedar,  1  ounce,  appHed  twice  a 
day,  a  blistering,  a  fever  ball  or  two,  with  a  drachm  of 
aloes  in  each,  and  a  little  antimony,  will  generally,  set 
right ;  keep  the  rectum  open  by  an  injection  of  warm 
water  and  soap  ;  physic  should  not  be  given  T^dthout  con- 
sideration ;  blood  letting  m  some  cases  may  be  resorted  to 
with  success. 

NASAL  GLEET. 

Symptoms. — A  discharge  of  thick,  yellow  mucus ;  if  at 
grass,  it  assumes  a  green  color.  At  times  it  becomes 
purulent,  tinged  with  blood,  and  if  not  arrested  at  tins 
stage,  it  may  end  in  glanders.  The  discharge  fluctuates 
with  the  weather  :  in  dry,  it  sometimes  subsides,  and  in- 
creases in  wet  and  cold  weather.  If  confined  to  the  left 
nostril,   it  becomes    tenacious,    elastic,  and  accumulates 


150  The  Horse  Farrier. 

around  the  edges  of  the  nasal  cavities,  and  "is  accompa- 
nied by  enlargement  of  the  gland,  and  drooping  of  the  ear, 
we  may  be  j^repared  for  the  worst ;  for  ten  chances  to  one, 
if  it  does  not  terminate  in  glanders. 

Treatment. — N'o  1.  Take  of  alum,  one  pound,  rosin, 
one  half  pound,  one  half  blue  vitriol,  grind  and  mix  with 
one  half  of  ginger.  Give  one  large  spoonful  every  night 
and  morning  ;  in  some  cases  bleed. 

ROARING. 

Symptoms. — An  unnatural,  loud,  grunting  sound  made 
by  the  animal  in  breathmg,  after  a  short  gallop,  pro- 
duced in  the  act  of  mspiration,  caused  by  obstructions 
in  the  respiratory  canal.  Thickening  of  the  membrane 
sometimes  is  the  result  of  strangles,  chronic  cough,  ca- 
tarrh, but  more  frequently  is  the  result  of  tight  reining, 
by  keeping  the  windpipe  in  one  position,  or  in  the  absorp- 
tion and  paralyzation  of  the  muscles,  on  one  side,  which 
assist  in  opening  and  enlarging  the  entrance  to  the  larynx, 
by  pulling  back  the  arytenoid  cartilages,  as  they  are 
termed.  The  consequence  of  this  is,  that  an  obstruction 
takes  place ;  and,  although  the  air  can  enter  with  suffi- 
cient rapidity  when  the  animal  is  at  rest,  yet  when 
respiration  is  hurried  by  exertion,  a  great  noise  is  occa- 
sioned by  the  air  passing  through  the  narrow  aperture 
with  great  rapidity. 

Treatment. — ^Remember  that,  in  every  chronic  case 
like  this,  the  only  hope  of  success  depends  on  perseve- 
rance. Whatever  means  is  adopted,  give  it  a  fair  trial. 
Confirmed  cases  may  be  incurable.  Those  of  recent  date 
may  be  cured  where  the  obstruction  can  be  detected.  It 
will  be  weU  to  bleed,  purge,  and  blister  over  the  affected 
parts ;  when  the  23hysic  acts,  commence  a  course  of  fever 
medicine  ;  if  no  reUef  is  afforded,  in  two  or  three  weeks, 
change  the  treatment.  If  it  arise  from  atrophy  of  the  mus- 
cles, let  them  be  stimulated  daily  with  hartshorn  liniment, 
or  some  such  apiDlication,  and  frequent  hard  rubbing.  If 
from  tumors,  let  them  be  removed.  If  the  thyroid  glands 
are  enlarged,  they  should  be  rubbed  daily  with    stimula- 


Common  Cough.  151 

ting  liniment,  or  ointment  of  iodine.  The  horse  should 
at  all  times  have  the  free  use  of  his  head  and  neck,  or  the 
best  treatment  might  fail.  Should  the  cause  of  roaring 
evidently  exist  (below  the  fauces)  either  in  the  bronchii, 
trachea,  or  lungs,  the  operation  of  trachetomy  may  be 
preferred,  which  consists  in  making  an  opening  into  the 
trachea,  and  through  it  inserting  a  tube,  which  may  be 
worn  for  any  length  of  time,  by  taking  the  precaution  to 
cleanse  it  occasionally.     See  Tracheotomy. 

COMMON    COUGH. 

Cough  is  present,  and  often  causes  annoyance,  in  ca- 
tarrh, laryngitis,  bronchitis,  strangles,  horse  ail,  &c.  Is 
present  also  in  cases  of  deranged  digestive  organs,  and 
when  a  quantity  of  worms  are  present  in  the  digestive 
cavity.  A  common  cough  may  attend  various  forms  of 
disease.  In  cases  of  a  catarrhal  character,  when  a  quan- 
tity of  mucus  accmnulates  in  the  resjjiratory  passages, 
the  act  of  coughing  ejects  it,  and  thus  relieves  the  ani- 
mal ;  therefore,  a  cough  of  this  kind  may  be  salutary 
rather  than  otherwise,  and  in  that  event  needs  no  treat- 
ment. 

A  sympathetic  cough  can  only  be  cured  by  directing 
our  remedies  to  the  seat  of  the  malady  ;  that  cured,  the 
cough  ceases. 

It  does  not  interfere  with  the  treatment  of  any  disease 
to  use  simple  remedies  to  mitigate  a  cough,  if  it  cause  the 
patient  some  annoyance ;  in  this  view  I  use  powdered 
slippery  elm,  Indian  turnip,  powdered  skunk  cabbage, 
caraway  seeds,  of  each  4  ounces.  Dose,  one  half  ounce 
twice  a  day  in  gruel. 

If  the  cough  continues  after  the  disappearance  of  pul- 
monary diseases,  dissolve  1  ounce  of  balsam  of  fir  in 
2  ounces  of  the  sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  add  4  ounces  of 
the  syruj)  of  garlic.  Dose,  one  ounce,  night  and  morn- 
ing, given  in  gruel. 

CHRONIC   COUGH. 

Chronic  cough  is  generally  caused  by  long  continued 
or  neglected  catarrh,  or  sore  throat. 


X52  The  Horse  Faekiee. 

THICK    WIND. 

Thick  or  broken  wind  is  sometimes  connected  with 
worms  and  glanders.  152 

If  a  harsh  hollow  cough  is  accompanied  by  a  stiaring 
coat,  and  the  appearance  of  worms, — a  few  worm-balls 
may  expel  the  worms,  and  remove  the  irritation  of  the 
intestinal  canal.  If  it  proceeds  from  irritability  of  the 
air  passages,  which  will  be  discovered  by  the  horse 
coughing  after  drinking,  or  when  he  first  goes  out  of 
the  stable  in  the  morning,  or  by  his  occasionally  snort- 
ing out  thick  mucus  from  the  nose,  medicines  may  be 
given,  and  sometimes  with  advantage,  to  diminish  irrita- 
tion generally.  Small  doses  of  digitalis,  emetic  tartar, 
and  nitre,  administered  every  night,  frequently  have  a 
beneficial  efiect,  especially  when  mixed  with  tar.  These 
balls  should  be  regularly  given  for  a  considerable  time. 
A  blister,  extendmg  from  the  root  of  one  ear  to  that  of 
the  other,  and  reaching  s-ix  or  eight  inches  down  the 
windpipe,  has  been  tried,  and  often  with  good  efiect,  on 
the  supposition  that  the  irritation  may  exist  at  the  roots 
of  the  tongue.  Feeding  has  much  influence.  Too  much 
dry  feed,  and  especially  chaff",  increases  it.  It  is  aggra- 
vated when  the  horse  is  suffered  to  eat  his  litter.  One 
of  the  best  remedies  for  an  obstinate  cough  that  bids  fair 
te  become  chronic,  is  a  seton  under  the  throat,  which 
should  be  kept  seven  or  eight  weeks.  Carrots  afford 
decided  relief. 

When  chronic  cough  chiefly  occurs  after  eating,  the 
seat  of  the  disease  is  evidently  in  the  substance  of  the 
lungs.  In  the  violent  effort  of  the  lungs  to  discharge 
their  functions,  when  laboring  mider  congestion,  irrita- 
tion is  produced,  and  the  act  of  coughmg  is  the  conse- 
quence. 

HEAVES    OR   BKOKEN   WIND. 

A  troublesome  cough,  and  sometimes  of  long  contin- 
uance, is  the  foundation  of  the  disease,  or  indicates  that 
irritable  state  of   the  bronchial  membrane  with   which 


Heaves  ok   Broken  Wind.  153 

broken  wind  is  almost  necessarily  associated.  Horses 
that  are  greedy  feeders,  or  devour  large  quantities  of 
slightly  nutritious  food,  or  are  worked  with  a  stomach 
distended  by  this  food,  are  very  subject  to  broken  wind. 
The  agricultural  horse  is  too  often  fed  on  the  very  re- 
fuse of  the  fann,  and  his  hours  of  feeding,  and  his  hours 
of  work,  are  frequently  irregular.  A  raj^id  gallop  on  a 
full  stomach  has  often  produced  broken  wind.  Flatulence, 
and  a  depraved  appetite,  is  the  consequence  as  well  as  the 
cause  of  broken-^vind ;  and  there  is  no  pathological  fact 
of  more  frequent  occurrence  than  the  co-existence  of  in- 
digestion and  flatulence  with  broken  wuid.  The  narrow 
chested  horse  is  more  subject  to  broken-wind  than  the 
broader  and  deeper  chested  one. 

TREATiiENT. — Confirmed  cases  are  incurable,  but  the 
disease  may  in  some  degree  be  palliated.  We  must  res- 
tore digestion  in  order  to  cure  indigestion.  Attend 
carefully  to  the  feeding.  The  food  should  lie  in  very  small 
compass,  plenty  of  oats,  soaked  4  hours,  with  one  pint  of 
flax  seed,  and  little  hay,  and  this  of  the  best  quahty  ; 
if  moistened  with  fresh  chamberley,  it  improves  it.  Musty 
hay  should  never  be  given  to  a  horse  that  has  the  heaves, 
and  water  should  be  given  in  moderate  quantities.  The 
horse  should  not  be  sufiered  to  drink  as  much  as  he  likes 
until  the  day's  work  is  over.  Green  feed  will  always  be 
serviceable.  Carrots  are  particularly  useful.  They  are 
readily  digested,  and  appear  to  have  a  peculiarly  benefi- 
cial effect  on  the  respiratory  system.  A  broken-mnded 
horse  should  always  be  watered  from  a  bucket,  regularly,^ 
three  times  a  day ;  and  if  he  be  a  foul  feeder,  arm  him' 
with  a  muzzle,  and  only  remove  it  at  meal  time.  We  oc- 
casionally allow  a  small  quantity  of  garUc,  say  a  couple 
of  heads  every  other  day,  chopped  fine,  and  mixed  in  the 
food.  One  drachm  of  tincture  of  aromatic  sulphuric 
acid  in  a  pint  of  water,  night  and  morning,  will  be  at- 
tended with  good  results.     In  the  mean  time  we  put  the 


154:  The  Horse  Fakrier, 

animal  on  a  course  of  the  following  alterative  medicine 
Powdered  ginger,  gentian,  sulphur,  salt,  cream  of  tartar 
charcoal,  licorice,  elecampane,  caraway  seeds,  and  balm 
of  Gilead  buds,  (chopped  fine,)  equal  parts.  Dose,  one 
ounce  every  night  in  the  food. 

No.  2.  Take  the  young  shoots  or  buds  of  white 
pine,  say  in  May  or  June,  boil  them,  when  the  liquor  is 
cold,  give  the  horse  one  pint  a  day  for  10  days. 

No.  3.  Take  180  grains  of  tartar  emetic  and  divide 
into  3  equal  doses,  mix  in  wet  brand,  give  once  in  two 
days  ;  this  will  alleviate,  if  not  perfectly  cure. 

No.  4.  To  20  gallons  of  water,  add  one  half  pint  of 
unslacked  lime,  give  the  horse  no  other  drink ;  to  his 
grain,  add  1  gill  of  vinegar,  or  one  spoonful  of  gmger ; 
apples  are  excellent  for  a  horse  that  has  the  heaves ; 
good  cured  corn  stalk  will  generally  relieve  the  disease. 

No.  5.  Take  1  pint  of  alcohol  and  put  in  all  the  tar 
it  will  cut,  give  two  table  spoonsfull,  every  morning 
one  hour  before  feeding,  for  10  or  11  days.  Another  rem- 
edy is  to  put  tar  on  the  grinders  once  a  day. 

BLISTERING. 

The  principle  on  which  they  act  is,  that  two  intense  in- 
flammations cannot  exist  in  neighboring  parts,  at  the  same 
time  ;  they  also  increase  the  action  of  contiguous  vessels. 
Inflammations  should  be  met  promptly,  with  blistering. 
Old  enlargements  and  swellings  can  be  removed  by  mild- 
er stimulants,  such  as  siceating  doicn  the  part  to  be  blis- 
tered. The  hair  should  be  shaved,  and  the  ointment 
thoroughly  rubbed  in.  Care  should  be  taken  that  the 
horse  cannot  hurt  himself.  After  twenty-four  hours,  a 
little  olive  or  neat's  foot  oil  should  be  applied  over  the 
bhster.  Apply  the  oil,  morning  and  night,  until  the  scab 
peels  ofi*.  Where  there  is  a  tendency  to  grease,  blister- 
ing is  dangerous.  In  the  winter,  care  should  be  used 
that  the  horse  does  not  take  cold  in  the  part  blistered. 


CHAPTER    Vni 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URDfAIlY  ORGANS,  AND  DIGESTIVE  CAVrTY. 


INFLAMMATION    OF   THE   KIDNEYS. 

Symptoms. — A  constant  desire  to  void  urine,  although 
only  passed  in  small  quantities,  highly  colored,  and  some- 
times tinged  with  blood,  though  more  generally  quite 
natural.  There  is  usually  a  peculiar  stiffness  in  the  hind 
extremities,  especially  when  the  horse  is  made  to  describe 
a  circle.  Pressure  on  the  loins  elicit  symptoms  of  pain, 
and  the  pulse  and  respirations  denote  febrile  symptoms. 

The  Treatment  will  only  vary  from  that  of  inflamma- 
tion of  other  j^arts  by  a  consideration  of  the  peculiarity 
of  the  organ  afiected.  Bleeding  may  be  promptly  re- 
sorted to.  An  active  purge  should  next  be  administered, 
and  a  counter-inflammation  excited  as  nearly  as  j^ossible 
to  the  seat  of  disease.  For  this  purpose,  the  loins  should 
be  fomented  with  hot  water,  or  covered  with  a  mustard- 
poultice —  the  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed  ;  no  di- 
uretic should  be  given  internally.  One  of  the  best  ap- 
plications to  the  loins  is  a  fresh  sheep  skin,  the  skin  side 
inwards.  This  will  very  soon  cause  and  keep  up  a  con- 
siderable perspiration,  which  may  be  conSnued  by  means 
of  a  fresh  skin  in  the  course  of  twelve  hours.  With  re- 
gard to  internal  medicines,  one  of  the  best  sedatives  is 
the  white  hellebore,  in  doses  of  a  scruple  twice  a  day. 
The  bowels  should  be  opened  by  means  of  an  aperient 


156  The  Rokse  Farrier. 

draught,  and  abundance  of  linseed  tea  should  be  given, 
so  as  to  sheath  the  irritated  parts.  The  patient  should 
be  warmly  clothed ;  his  legs  well  bandaged,  and  plenty 
of  water  offered  to  him.  The  food  should  be  carefully 
examined,  and  anything  that  could  have  excited,  or  that 
may  prolong  the  irritation,  carefully  removed. 

I]STLAMMATIO^    OF   THE   BLADDER. 

This  is  a  very  rare  but  exceedingly  dangerous  disease. 
There  are  two  varieties  of  this  disease,  inflammation  of 
the  body  of  the  bladder,  and  of  its  neck.  The  symptoms 
are  nearly  the  same  with  those  of  inflammation  of  the 
kidney,  except  that  there  is  rarely  a  total  suppression  of 
urine,  and  there  is  heat  felt  in  the  rectum  OA^er  the  situa- 
tion of  the  bladder.  The  causes  are,  the  presence  of  some 
acrid  or  irritant  matter  in  the  urine,  or  of  calculus  or 
stone  in  the  bladder.  In  inflammation  of  the  neck  of  the 
bladder,  there  is  the  same  frequent  voiding  of  urine  in 
small  quantities,  generally  appearing  in  an  advanced  stage 
of  the  disease,  and  often  ending  in  almost  total  suppres- 
sion. There  is  this  circumstance  which  can  never  be  mis- 
taken :  the  bladder  is  distended  with  urine,  and  can  be 
distmctly  felt  under  the  rectum.  It  is  spasm  of  the  part, 
closing  the  neck  of  the  bladder  so  powerfully  that  the 
contraction  of  the  bladder  and  the  pressure  of  the  mus- 
cles are  unable  to  force  out  the  urine. 

The  Treatment  in  this  case  will  be  the  same  as  in  in- 
flammation of  the  kidneys,  except  that  it  is  of  more  con- 
sequence that  the  animal  should  drink  freely  of  water  or 
thin  gruel. 

The  irritation  being  great,  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
keep  any  soothing  appflcation  in  the  bladder,  the  contents 
of  which  are  bemg  continually  ejected.  Recourse,  there- 
fore, must  be  had  to  very  copious  bleeding,  so  as  to  en- 
deavor to  ch|pck  the  inflammation  which  exists,  as 
well  as  to  assuage  the  irritation,  which  forbids  local 
measures.  It  wall  assist,  to  administer  calomel,  combined 
with  opium  and  tartarized  antimony,  two  scruples  of  each 
being  given  three  times  a  day.     The  same  means  may  be 


Inflammation  of  Stomach  and  Bowels.       157 

adopted  when  inflammation  attacks  the  neck  of  the  blad- 
der, and  the  spasm  prevents  its  evacuation.  The  bladder 
of  a  mare  may  be  readily  evacuated  by  means  of  a  cath- 
eter ;  and,  by  the  aid  of  the  elastic  and  flexible  catheter, 
the  bladder  of  the  gelding  can  also  be  discharged,  though 
the  operation  requires  some  tact  and  skill, 

inflammation  op  the  stomach  and  bowels. 

There  are  two  varieties  of  this  malady.  The  first  is 
inflammation  of  the  external  coats  of  the  intestines,  called 
peritonitis  accompanied  by  considerable  fever,  and  usually 
costiveness.  The  second  is  that  of  the  internal  or  mu- 
cous coat,  called  enteritis. 

The  muscular  coat  is  that  which  is  oftenest  affected. 
Inflammation  of  the  external  coats  of  the  stomach,  whether 
the  peritoneal  or  muscular,  or  both,  is  a  very  frequent 
and  fatal  disease.  It  speedily  runs  its  course,  and  it  is  of 
great  consequence  that  its  early  symptoms  should  be 
known. 

Tlie  causes  of  peritonitis  are  both  numerous  and  various. 
We  have  seen  that  colic  may  give  rise  to  it.  Constipa- 
tion may  be  viewed  in  the  light,  both  of  cause  and  effect, 
in  its  relation  to  it.  Collected  hardened  faeces  must  nat- 
urally not  only  of  themselves  be  irritative,  but  obstruct- 
tive  and  subversive  of  the  functions  of  the  bowels,  and  in 
either  one  or  the  other  way  may  lay  the  foundation  for 
an  attack  of  inflammation.  Certain  kinds  of  indigestible 
food,  calculous  bodies,  irritating  matter  of  any  sort,  with- 
in the  bowels,  may  cause  an  inflammation  of  thenu  Ob- 
struction of  any  of  their  passages — whether  it  be  from 
the  lodgment  and  immovableness  of  the  matters  they  con- 
tain, or  from  entanglement  of  the  intestines,  or  intus-sus- 
ception — must  in  the  end  occasion  inflammation.  Over-fa- 
tigue, and  consequent  excessive  irritation  in  the  bowels, 
will  bring  it  on. 

Symptoms. — ^There  is  some  analogy  between  the  symp- 
toms of  this  disease  and  cohc ;  there  is,  however,  one 
marked  feature  of  the  case  which  enables  us  to  diagnose 


158  I'nE  HoKSE  Fakeiee. 

the  disease  with  some  degree  of  certainty,  for  when  in^ 
flammation  has  fairly  set  in,  there  is  little,  if  any,  remission 
of  pain ;  whereas,  in  colic,  the  pains  are  of  a  spasmodic 
character,  so  that  the  animal  at  times  is  quite  easy.  The 
pulse,  in  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  is  small,  firm,  and 
quick  increasing  in  beat  as  the  disease  increases  in  in- 
tensity. 

"  The  next  stage  borders  on  delirium.  The  eye  acquires 
a  wild,  haggard,  unnatural  stare — the  pupil  dilates — ^his 
heedless  and  dreadful  throes  render  approach  to  him  quite 
perilous.  He  is  an  object  not  only  of  compas'sion  but  of 
apprehension,  and  seems  fast  hurrying  to  his  end  ;  when, 
all  at  once,  in  the  midst  of  agonizing  torments,  he  stands 
quiet,  as  though  every  pain  had  left  him,  and  he  were  go- 
ing to  recover.  His  breathing  becomes  tranquilized — 
his  pulse  sunk  beyond  all  perception — his  body  bedewed 
with  a  cold,  clammy  sweat — ^he  is  in  a  tremor  from  head 
to  foot,  and  about  the  legs  and  ears  has  even  a  death-like 
feel.  The  mouth  feels  deadly  chill ;  the  lips  drop  pendu- 
lous ;  and  the  eye  seems  unconscious  of  objects.  In  fine, 
death,  not  recovery,  is  at  hand.  Mortification  has  seized 
the  inflamed  bowel — ^pain  can  no  longer  be  felt  in  that 
which,  a  few  minutes  ago,  was  the  seat  of  exquisite  suf- 
fering. He  again  becomes  convulsed,  and  in  a  few  more 
struggles,  less  violent  than  the  former,  he  expii-es. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  be  prompt  and 
energetic.  The  first  and  most  powerful  means  of  cure 
will  be  bleeding.  From  six  to  eight  quarts  of  blood 
should  be  abstracted  as  soon  as  possible ;  and  the  bleed- 
ing repeated,  if  the  pain  is  not  relieved  and  the  pulse  has 
not  become  rounder  and  fuller.  Weakness  is  the  conse- 
quence of  violent  inflammation  of  these  parts  ;  and  if  that 
inflammation  is  subdued  by  the  loss  of  blood,  the  weakness 
will  disappear.  The  bleeding  should  be  effected  on  the 
first  appearance  of  the  disease. 

A  strong  solution  of  aloes  should  immediately  follow 
the  bleeding,  but  guarded  by  opium.  This  should  be 
quickly  followed  by  back-raking,  and  injections  consisting 
of  warm  water,  or  very  thin  gruel,  in  which  Epsom  salts 


-i>oTs,  159 

or  aloes  have  been  dissolved ;  and  too  much  fluid  can 
scarcely  be  thrown  up.  If  the  common  ox-bladder  and 
pipe  is  used,  it  should  be  frequently  replenished.  The 
horse  should  likewise  be  encouraged  to  drink  plentifully 
of  warm  water  or  thin  gruel ;  and  draughts,  each  con 
taining  a  couple  of  drachms  of  dissolved  aloes,  with  a 
little  opium,  should  be  given  every  six  hours,  until  the 
bowels  are  freely  opened. 

Dr.  Dodd  recommends  a  method  of  treatment  quite 
different  from  the  above.  He  is  very  much  opposed  to 
blood-letting  in  all  cases.  That  bleeding  is  efficacious  in  this 
and  other  diseases,  is  certain,  but  we  are  not  certain  that 
the  same  results  cannot  be  attained  by  other  and  mild- 
er remedies.  There  has  been  a  reform,  of  late  years, 
in  the  human  practice  with  good  results,  and  why  can- 
not the  same  ends  be  accomplished  in  the  veterinary  prac- 
tice ?  We  would  recommend  a  careful  perusal  of  Dr. 
Dodd,  in  "  Modern  Horse  Doctor,"  on  this  disease. 

BOTS. 

This  disease  is  frequently  confounded  with  cholic,  or 
other  diseases.  Generally  speaking,  bots  are  not  so  trouble- 
some to  horses  as  people  seem  to  suj^pose  ;  for  it  is  very 
rare,  in  making  a  post  mortem  examination,  that  we  do  not 
find  more  or  less  in  the  stomach.  This  history  is  curious 
and  is  as  follows  : 

A  species  of  gad-fly  is  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer 
exceedingly  busy  about  the  horse.  It  is  observed  to  be 
darting  with  great  rapidity  towards  the  knees  and  sides 
of  the  animal.  The  females  are  depositing  their  eggs  on 
the  hair,  and  which  adhere  to  it  by  means  of  a  glutinous 
fluid  with  which  they  are  surrounded.  In  a  few  days  the 
eggs  are  ready  to  be  hatched,  and  the  slightest  applica- 
tion of  warmth  and  moisture  will  liberate  the  little  ani- 
mals which  they  contain.  The  horse  in  lickhig  himself 
touches  the  egg ;  it  bursts,  and  a  small  worm  escapes, 


160  The  Horse  Farrier, 

whicli  adheres  to  the  tongue,  and  is  conveyed  with  the 
food  into  the  stomach.  There  it  clings  to  the  cuticular 
portion  of  the  stomach,  by  means  of  a  hook  on  either 
side  of  its  mouth ;  and  its  hold  is  so  firm  and  so  obsti- 
nate, that  it  most  be  broken  before  it  can  be  detached. 
It  remains  there  feeding  on  the  mucus  of  the  stomach 
during  the  whole  of  the  winter,  and  until  the  end  of  the 
ensuing  spring ;  when,  having  attained  a  considerable 
size,  and  being  destined  to  undergo  a  certam  transforma- 
tion, it  disengages  itself  from  the  cuticular  coat,  is  car- 
ried into  the  villous  portion  of  the  stomach  with  the  food, 
passes  out  of  it  with  the  chyme,  and  is  evacuated  with 
the  dung. 

Treatment. — In  most  cases,  if  the  horse  be  allowed 
to  run  for  a  short  time  at  grass,  when  the  bots  have  at- 
tained their  full  growth,  and  exercise  an  independent  life, 
they  will  pass  off  with  the  excrement.  The  compound 
for  the  expulsion  of  the  bots  ^^411  be  found  useful,  when 
they  are  found  at  neck  of  the  throat : 

•  Xo.  2.  Drench  freely  with  sweet  milk  and  molasses, 
(sugar  or  honey  will  do,)  well  shaken  together.  Contin- 
ue it,  a  bottle  full  every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  accord- 
ing to  the  severity  of  the  attack,  until  the  animal  becomes 
easy  ;  then  give  a  quart  bottle  full  of  strong  salt  and  wa- 
ter, followed  soon  after  Avith  a  quart  bottle  of  Castor  Oil. 
It  is  Vv^orse  than  idle  to  give  anything  with  the  view  of 
killing  the  bots  in  a  horse.  The  only  plan  is  to  coax  them 
off. 

No.  3.  Make  a  tea  of  sage,  sweeten  it  well,  when  about 
milk  warm  drench  your  horse  with  it.  If  it  turns  out  to 
be  colic  and  not  bots,  the  sage  will  be  good  for  that. 

No.  4.  As  soon  as  it  is  discovered  that  a  horse  has 
symptoms  of  bots,  give  a  half  pint  of  warm,  sweet  milk, 
just  drawn  from  a  cow,  and  a  half  pint  of  molasses.  In 
15  minutes  after,  give  a  strong  tea  made  of  elder  bark, 
and  sage,  to  which  add  a  half  an  ounce  of  alum.  This  is 
given  as  a  drench.  In  half  an  hour  after,  give  the  horse 
a  portion  of  i^hysic. 

No.  5.     A  half  pint  vmegar,  half  pint  soft  soap,  half 


Colic.  161 

pint  molasses ;  shake  well  together,  and  pour  it  down 
Trhile  foaming. 

We  have  but  little  faith  in  medicine  expelling  bots ;  we 
can  get  the  medicine  into  the  horse's  stomach,  but  we 
cannot  get  it  down  the  throat  of  the  worm  when  the  food 
does  not  suit  him. 

The  nit  or  egg  can  easily  be  got  rid  of  by  greasing  the 
horse's  hair,  and  then  rubbing  it  with  a  coarse  cloth,  or 
by  applying  warm  water,  Avhich  loosens  their  hold  on  the 
hair. 

COLIC. 

In  nine  cases  out  often,  cohc  is  the  result  of  impaired  di 
gestive  organs.  The  drmking  of  cold  water  when  the 
horse  is  heated,  is  a  very  sure  origin  of  violent  spasm 
in  the  horse.  Hard  water  is  very  apt  to  produce  this 
eifect.  CoUc  will  sometimes  follow  the  exposure  of  a 
horse  to  the  cold  air  or  a  cold  wind,  after  strong  exercise. 
Green  feed,  although,  generally  speaking,  most  beneficial 
to  the  horse,  yet,  given  in  too  large  a  quantity,  or  when 
he  is  hot,  will  frequently  produce  gripes.  Doses  of  aloes, 
both  large  and  small,  are  not  unfrequent  causes  of  colic. 

Symptoms. — It  is  of  much  importance  to  distinguish 
between  spasmodic  colic  and  inflammation  of  the  bowels, 
for  the  symptoms  have  considerable  resemblance,  although 
the  mode  of  treatment  should  be  very  different. 

The  attack  of  colic  is  usually  very  sudden.  The  horse 
begins  to  shift  his  posture,  look  aroftnd  at  his  flanks,  paw 
violently,  strike  his  belly  with  his  feet,  and  crouch  in  a 
peculiar  manner,  advancing  his  hind  limbs  under  him  ;  he 
Avill  then  suddenly  lie,  or  rather  fall  down,  and  balance 
himself  upon  his  back,  with  his  feet  resting  on  his  belly. 
The  pain  now  seems  to  cease  for  a  little  while,  and  he  gets 
up,  and  shakes  himself,  and  begins  to  feed ;  the  respite, 
however,  is  but  short — the  spasm  returns  more  violently 
— every  indication  of  pain  is  mcreased — he  heaves  at  the 
flanks,  breaks  out  into  a  profuse  perspiration,  and  throws 


162  The  Horse  Farrier. 

himself  more  recklessly  about.  In  the  space  of  an  hour 
or  two,  either  the  spasms  begin  to  relax,  and  the  remis- 
sions are  of  longer  duration,  or  the  torture  is  augmented 
at  every  paroxysm  ;  the  intervals  of  ease  are  fewer  and 
less  marked,  and  inflammation  and  death  supervene.  The 
pulse  is  but  little  affected  at  the  commencement,  but  it 
soon  becomes  frequent  and  contracted,  and  at  length  is 
scarcely  tangible. 

Treatment. — ^Take  powdered  grains  of  paradise,  1  tea' 
spoonful ;  powdered  caraway,  1-2  tea-spoonful ;  oil  of 
peppermint,  20  drops ;  powdered  slippery  elm,  1  table- 
spoonful  ;  hot  water,  1  pint ;  mixed  together  and  given 
from  a  bottle.  An  injection  of  common  soap  suds  thrown 
into  the  rectum.  Peppermint  tea  alone  will  sometimes  af- 
ford relief  and  a  perfect  cure.  Saleratus  is  a  favorite 
remedy  with  many,  but  it  should  not  be  mixed  with  milk 
or  molasses,  as  is  often  done. 

If  the  animal  labors  under  pyloric  obstruction,  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  prejDaration :  —  Carbonate  ammonia,  1 
drachm ;  tmcture  of  ginger,  1  ounce ;  water,  1  pint. 
Mix,  and  drench  the  horse. 

If  acid  or  gas  exists  in  the  bowels,  substitute  lime 
water,  and  add  half  an  ounce  of  tincture  of  gentian. 

SCOURS  AND  CONSTIPATION  IN  YOIFNG  COLTS. 

The  principal  cause  of  this  disease  is  the  want  of  prop- 
er management  of  the  mother.  It  is  a  law  of  nature  that 
whatever  effects  the  bowels  of  the  mother,  will  also  ef- 
fect the  colt  through  the  milk  it  derives,  though  more 
seriously.  For  the  colt  must  now,  and,  until  it  be  able 
to  masticate  food,  depend  altogether  on  the  parent's  milk, 
and  the  latter  cannot  furnish  it  in  suflScient  quantities,  un- 
less kept  on  generous  food. 

Treatment. — Our  first  duty  is  to  attend  to  the  wants 
of  the  mother — establish  her  health  if  it  be  impaired. 

Stock  raisers  might  learn  a  lesson  from  nurses  who  at- 
tend human  parturients ;  they  give  the  old-fashioned  dose 


Scours  and  Constipation  in  Colts.  163 

of  castor  oil  understandingly,  knowing  from  long  experi- 
ence tliat  it   operates   botli  on    the  mother  and  child. 

The  milk  of  the  mother,  immediately  after  parturition, 
is  the  best  kind  of  medicine  to  regulate  the  secretions  and 
excretions  of  the  offspring,  and  it  generally  has  the  de- 
sired effect.  There  may,  however,  be  cases  where,  in 
consequence  of  exposure,  the  foal  may  have  diarrhoea ;  if 
so,  he  must  be  placed  in  a  warm  situation.  Perhaps  all 
that  will  now  be  needed  for  the  cure  is  some  warm  gin- 
ger, or  caraway  tea  ;  and  a  little  of  either  of  these  simple 
articles,  pulverized,  may,  with  advantage,  be  given  to  the 
mother  in  her  food.  If  the  mother  is  fat,  and  has  not  had 
sufficient  exercise  previous  to  parturition,  we  are  not  to 
be  in  a  hurry  to  stop  the  discharge,  but  merely  to  hold  it 
in  check.  If,  in  poor  condition,  and  still  losing  flesh, 
then,  in  addition,  give  of  tonic,  and  give  freely  of  gruel 
made  of  wheat  flour,  and  as  long,  the  foal  should  not  de- 
pend altogether  on  its  dam  for  sustenance,  but  might  have 
a  daily  allowance  of  boiled  cow's  milk,  cooled  to  about  the 
temperature  of  milk  when  drawn.  Hay  tea,  to  which  a 
small  quantity  of  cow's  milk  may  be  added,  is  an  excel- 
lent drink  for  the  young  foal  in  the  absence  of  its  mother's 
milk.  Try  it,  reader,  on  your  calves,  also,  if  you  have 
occasion. 

The  following  astringent  drink  for  colts  is  efficacious, 
viz :  Angelica  root,  one  ounce ;  Cranesbill,  2^  ounces ; 
hayberry  bark,  1-4  ounce ;  African  ginger,  1-2  ounce. 
Pour  on  the  above  ingredients  two  quarts  of  boiling  wa- 
ter ;  set  them  aside  for  a  few  hours.  Dose — Half  a  pint 
every  four  hours  until  the  disease  is  checked.  If  the  dis- 
charges are  fetid,  add  to  each  dose  half  a  table-spoonful 
of  finely-pulverized  charcoal,  and  if  the  foal  be  weak  and 
in  poor  condition,  allow  it  hay  tea,  tliickened  wdth  oat- 
meal. 

As  regards  costiveness,  green  food  and  scalded  shorts 
are  the  antidotes^  and  the  mother  will  partake  of  either 
with  relish ;  some  of  the  former,  if  the  season  permits, 
should  be  cut  and  placed  before  her  soon  after  labor.  If 
the  articles  fail  to  have  the  desired  eftect,  a  dose  of  ap- 
erient medicine — castor  oil,  or  salts — should  be  given. 


164  The  Hoese  Faekier. 

DIAEEHCEA. 

This  is  quite  a  common  disease  among  horses.  There 
is  a  land,  however,  among  grass  eaters,  that  is  beneficial 
rather  than  other^\dse,  if  it  does  not  continue  for  any 
length  of  time.  Diarrhoea  is  the  efiect  of  an  irritable  or 
congested  state  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  intes- 
tines, often  produced  by  improper  articles,  or  over  doses 
of  physic,  by  over  exertion  and  perspiration,  suddenly 
checked  by  exposure  to  cold  winds,  &g. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are,  he  frequently  looks 
round  at  his  flanks ;  his  breathing  is  laborious,  and  the 
pulse  is  quick  and  small — the  mouth  is  hot  and  the  legs 
and  ears  are  warm. 

Teeatmeist. — If  it  proceeds  from  the  feed,  change  of 
diet  will  generally  be  sufficient.  Unless  the  purging  is 
excessive,  and  the  pain  and  distress  great,  the  surgeon 
should  hesitate  at  giving  any  astringent  medicine  at  first ; 
but  administer  gruel  or  thm  starch,  o-r  arrow-root,  by  the 
mouth  and  by  clyster,  removing  all  hay  and  corn,  and  par- 
ticularly green  feed.  If,  however,  twelve  hours  have 
passed,  and  the  purging  and  the  pain  are  undiminished, 
continue  the  gruel,  adding  to  it  chalk,  catechu,  and  opium, 
repeated  every  six  hours.  As  soon  as  the  purging  begins 
to  subside,  the  stringent  medicine  should  be  lessened  in 
quantity,  and  gradually  discontinued.  The  horse  should 
be  warmly  clothed,  and  placed  in  a  comfortable  stable, 
and  his  legs  should  be  hand-rubbed  and  bandaged.  Bay- 
berry  bark  and  charcoal  are  powerful  astringents. 

If  the  disease  dej^ends  on  deranged  digestive  function, 
the  liver  included,  give  a  few  doses  of  the  following : 
Powdered  goldenseal,  2  ounces;  powdered  ginger,  1 
ounce  ;  salt,  1  ounce.     Dose,  half  an  ounce  twice  a  day. 

INDIGESTION. 

The  causes  of  indigestion  are  numerous :  too  little  or 
too  much  of  food,  water,  or  work ;  bad  ventilation  ;  ex- 
posure;  poisons;    damaged  or  highly  nutritious   food; 
working  the  animal  on  a  full  stomach — are  all  operative 
,  in  producing  indigestion  in  acute  or  chronic  forms. 


Inflammation  of  the  Eye.  165 

Symptoms. — The  excrement  is  very  variable  in  color 
and  consistence,  often  liarcl  and  covered  with  slime ;  at 
other  times  soft,  when  the  presence  of  intestinal  parasites 
can  be  detected.  The  m-me  is  scanty,  and  either  colored 
or  thickened  Avith  foreign  material.  The  animal  is  gen- 
erally cross  and  irritable,  and  leaves  the  stable,  at  work- 
ing tune,  very  unwillingly ;  he  requires  considerable  urg- 
ing while  travelling,  and,  of  course,  is  incapacitated  to 
perform  his  usual  work. 

Teeatscext. — First,  if  possible,  remove  the  cause. 
If  the  animal  has  been  fed  on  dry  food,  let  him  have  a 
mixture  of  boiled  oats,  shorts,  and  carrots,  well  seasoned 
with*  salt,  to  which  add  daily  half  a  table-spoonful  of 
white  mustard  seed ;  one  pint  of  pale  brandy  to  four 
ounces  of  fine  salt ;  dose,  a  wine  glass,  in  oatmeal  gruel, 
night  and  morning,  just  before  meals.  The  animal  must 
not  be  permitted  to  spend  half  his  time  eating.  Atten- 
tion must  also  be  paid  to  the  water  which  the  animal 
drinks :  throw  a  handful  of  pulverized  charcoal,  daily, 
into  the  water  trough.  This  will  improve  the  very  worst 
kind. 

inflammation  of  the  eye. 

This  disease  is  so  familiar  to  every  one,  that  a  descrip- 
tion of  it  seems  unnecessary.  Its  seat  is  in  the  membrane 
which  lines  the  inside  of  the  eyelids  and  covers  the  white  of 
the  eye  ;  when  treated  in  the  early  stage,  it  generally  yields 
to  very  simple  treatment.  From  this  primary  form  of 
disease  others  of  a  more  alarming  nature  supervene. 

As  prevention  is  much  cheaper  than  cure,  it  is  of  great 
importance  to  practice  that  system  of  management,  with 
respect  to  feeding,  exercise,  cleanliness  and  ventilation, 
which  is  most  likely  to  prevent  it.  It  may  be  considered 
under  two  forms — the  common  and  manageable,  and  the 
specific  and  fatal.  The  common  inflammation  is  gener- 
ally sudden  in  its  attack. 

Symptoms. — The  lids  will  be  found  swelled  and  the 
eyes  partially  closed,  and  some  weeping.  The  inside  of 
the  lid  will  be  red,  some  red  streaks  visible  on  the  white 


166  The  Horse  Farrier. 

of  the  eye,  and  the  cornea  slightly  dim.  This  is  occasion- 
ally connected  with  some  degree  of  catarrh  or  cold ;  but 
it  is  as  often  unaccompanied  by  this,  and  depends  on  ex- 
ternal irritation,  as  a  blow,  or  the  presence  of  a  bit  of 
hay-seed  or  oat-husk  within  the  Hd,  towards  the  outer 
corner  where  the  hay  cannot  reach  it ;  therefore  the  hds 
should  always  be  carefully  examined  as  to  this  possible 
source  of  the  complaint. 

Treatment. — Coohng  applications  to  the  eye,  as  the 
eye  lotion  or  tincture  of  opium,  with  gentle  physic,  will 
usually  abate  the  evil ;  or  the  inflammation  will  subside 
without  medical  treatment.  A  cool  shed,  rather  darken- 
ed, will  be  the  most  desirable  place ;  a  very  Ught  di^  of 
scalded  shorts,  or  gruel,  will  be  all  the  patient  needs,  for 
inflammation. 

LOCKED  JAWED  OR  TETANUS. 

Locked  jaw  or  tetanus  is  one  of  the  most  dreadful 
and  fatal  diseases  to  wliich  the  horse  is  subject.  It  is 
called  locked  jaw,  because  the  muscles  of  the  jaw  are 
earliest  afiected,  and  the  mouth  is  obstinately  and  im- 
movably closed.  It  is  a  constant  spasm  of  all  the  volun- 
tary muscles,  and  particularly  of  the  neck,  the  spine,  and 
the  head.  It  is  generally  slow  and  treacherous  in  its  at- 
tack. The  horse,  for  a  day  or  two,  does  not  appear  to 
be  quite  well ;  he  does  not  feed  as  usual ;  he  partly  chews 
his  food,  and  drops  it;  and  he  gulps  his  water._  The 
owner  at  length  finds  that  the  motion  of  the  jaws  is  con- 
siderably limited,  and  some  saliva  is  drivehng  from  the 
mouth.  If  he  tries,  he  can  only  open  the  mouth  a  very 
little  way,  or  the  jaws  are  perfectly  and  rigidly  closed. 

Tetanus  most  usually   occurs  iL-om  injuries   to  some 
nervous  fibre  of  the  foot — sometimes  Irom  a  prick  in  shoe- 
ing.    It  is  also  connected  with  docking,  nicking  and  cas 
tration,  over  exertion,  and  sudden  exposure. 

Symptoms. — ^A  protrusion  of  the  muzzle,  and  stiffness 
of  the  neck ;  the  muscles  singularly  prominent,  distinct, 
Lard,  knotty,  and  unyielding.  ^  There  is  difficuity  in  brmg- 
ing  the  head  round,  and  still  greater  ditficulty  in  bendmg 
it.    The  eye  is  drawn  deep  within  the  socket. 


LocKKD  Jaw.  167 

The  ears  are  erect,  pointed  forward,  and  immovable ; 
if  the  horse  is  spoken  to,  or  threatened  to  be  struck,  they 
change  not  their  position.  The  nostril  is  exj)anded  to  the 
utmost.  The  respiration  is  usually  accelerated,  yet  not 
always  so  ;  but  it  is  uniformly  laborious.  The  pulse  gives 
little  hidication  of  the  severity  of  the  disease.  It  is  some- 
tmies  scarcely  aifeoted.  After  a  while,  however,  the  heart 
begins  to  sympathize  with  the  general  excitation  of  the 
system,  and  the  pulse  increases  in  frequency  and  force  un- 
til the  animal  becomes  debilitated,  when  it  beats  yet  quick- 
er and  quicker,  but  diminishes  in  power,  and  gradually 
flutters  and  dies  away.  ^^ 

The  countenance  is  eager,  anxious,  haggard,  and  tells 
plainly  enough  what  the  animal  suffers. 

The  stiffness  gradually  extends  to  the  back.  If  the 
horse  is  in  a  narrow  stall,  it  is  impossible  to  turn  him ; 
and,  even  mth  room  and  scope  enough,  he  turns  alto- 
gether like  a  deal-board. 

The  extremities  begin  to  participate  in  the  spasm — hind- 
er ones  generally  first.  The  horse  stands  with  his  hind- 
legs  straddling  apart  in  a  sinoular  way.  The  fore-limbs 
have  a  singular  appearance;  they  are  as  stiff  as  they  can 
possibly  be,  but  stretched  forward  and  straddling. 

There  is  a  degree  of  "  hide-bound"  appearance,  and  of 
tucking  up  of  the  belly,  wliich  is  seen  under  no  other 
complaint.     The  tail  becomes  in  constant  motion. 

Constipation,  and  to  an  almost  insurmountable  degree, 
now  appears.  The  abdominal  muscles  are  so  powerfully 
contracted,  that  no  portion  of  .the  contents  of  the  abdo- 
men can  pass  on  and  be  discharged. 

By  degrees  the  spasm  extends  and  becomes  everywhere 
more  violent.  The  motion  of  the  whole  frame  is  lost,  and 
the  horse  stands  fixed  in  the  unnatural  posture  which  he 
has  assumed.  The  countenance  becomes  wilder  and  more 
haggard — its  exj^ression  can  never  be  affaced  from  the 
memory  of  him  who  cares  about  the  feelings  of  a  brute. 

Treatment. — The  object  is  to  abate  the  spasm.  For  this 
purpose,  opium  will  be  the  most  efiicient  remedy.  It  will 
be  borne  in  doses  of  from  half  a  drachm  to  two  drachms 


168  The  Horse  Farriek. 

every  four  or  five  hours.  A  dose  of  physic,  consisting 
of  eight  or  ten  drachms  of  aloes,  should  be  given  at  once, 
and  its  operation  assisted  by  large  injections  of  Epsom 
or  Glauber  salts  in  solution.  The  horse  should  be  well 
rubbed  and  blanketed,  and  a  strong  hniment  rubbed  along 
the  spine. 

If  the  disease  terminates  fatally,  it  is  usually  from  the 
sixth  to  the  eighth  day.  There  are  occasionally  slight 
remissions  in  the  spasm,  but  not  sufficiently  to  enable  the 
animal  to  eat  or  to  drink.  If  these  remissions  return  and 
increase  in  length,  and  particularly  if  there  is  more  relax- 
ation of  the  lower  jaw,  there  is  yet  hope.  If  the  horse 
recovers,  it  will  be  slowly,  and  he  will  be  left  sadly  weak, 
and  a  mere  walking  skeleton. 

FEVEE. 

Fever  is  general  increased  arterial  action,  either  with- 
out any  local  affection,  or  in  consequence  of  the  sympa- 
thy of  the  system  with  inflammation  in  some  particular 
part. 

The  first  is  pure  fever.  Owing  to  bad  stable  manage- 
ment and  general  treatment,  and  the  susceptibility  of  va- 
rious parts  of  the  horse  to  take  on  inflammation,  this 
usually  degenerates  into  inflammation.  But  pure  fever 
is  sometimes  seen,  and  runs  its  course  regularly. 

It  frequently  begins  with  a  cold  and  shivering  fit, 
although  this  is  not  essential  to  fever.  The  horse  is  dull, 
unwilling  to  move,  has  a  staring  coat,  and  cold  legs  and 
feet.  This  is  succeeded  Hby  warmth  of  the  body  ;  une- 
qual distribution  of  warmth  to  the  legs ;  one  hot,  and  the 
other  three  cold,  t)r  one  or  more  unnaturally  warm,  and 
the  others  unusually  cold,  but  not  the  deathlike  coldness 
of  inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  the  pulse  quick,  soft,  and 
often  indistinct ;  the  breathing  somewhat  laborious  ;  but 
no  cough  or  pawing,  or  looking  at  the  flanks.  The  ani- 
mal will  scarcely  eat,  and  is  very  costive.  While  the 
state  of  pm-e  fever  lasts,  the  shivering  fit  returns  at 
nearly  the  same  hour  every  day,  and  is  succeeded  by  the 
warm  one,  and  that  often  by  a  slight  degree  of  perspira- 
tion ;  and  these  alternate  during  several  days  until  local 


Putrid  Feveb.  169 

inflammation  appears,  or  the  fever  gradually  subsides. 
No  horse  ever  died  of  pure  fever.  If  he  is  not  destroyed 
by  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  feet,  or  bowels,  succeed- 
ing to  the  fever,  he  gradually  recovers. 

Fever  is  general  increased  action  of  the  heart  and  ar- 
teries, and  therefore  evidently  appears  the  necessity  ibr 
bleeding,  regulating  the  quantity  of  blood  by  the  degree 
of  fever,  and  usually  keeping  the  finger  on  the  artery 
until  some  evident  and  considerable  impression  is  made 
upon  the  system.  The  bowels  should  be  gently  opened  ; 
but  the  dangerous  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  the 
uniformly  injurious  consequence  of  purgation  in  that  dis- 
ease, will  prevent  the  administration  of  an  active  purga- 
tive. A  small  quantity  of  aloes  may  be  given,  mornmg 
and  night,  with  the  proper  fever  medicine,  until  the 
bowels  are  slightly  relaxed,  after  which  nothmg  more  of 
an  aperient  quality  should  be  administered.  Digitalis, 
emetic  tartar,  and  nitre  should  be  given  morning  and 
night,  m  proportions  regulated  by  the  circumstances  of 
the  case.  The  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed,  and 
placed  in  a  cool  and  well-ventilated  stable. 

PUTEID      FEVER. 

The  cause  of  this  disease  may  be  attributed  to  the  at- 
mospheric influence  and  debility,  however  induced. 

Symptoms. — Great  debility,  difliculty  in  sw^allowing, 
and  thirsty,  pulse  weak,  gets  down  and  is  not  able  to  rise, 
lies  on  his  side  paws,  not  able  to  rise,  rattles  in  the  w^ind- 
pipe. 

Treatment. — In  attacks  where  the  prostration  of 
strength  is  not  great,  give  a  drachm  of  camphor,  and  half 
an  ounce  of  nitre,  pulverized  and  dissolved  in  half  a  pint 
of  warm  water ;  and  give  as  a  drench  every  two  hours, 
two  doses  ;  then  omit  one  dose,  and  give  one  ounce  of 
powdered  aloes,  and  half  an  ounce  of  capsicum,  pulver- 
ized and  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  warm  water;  in  six  hours 
after  giving  the  physic,  commence  with  the  camphor  and 
nitre  as  before,  and  give  it  every  six  hours,  till  it  has  con- 
siderable of  a  diuretic  effect,  or  till  the  horse  shows  symp- 


170  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

toms  of  returning  health,  when  three  doses  in  twenty- 
four  hours  will  be  sufficient.  But  if  the  horse  should  be 
losing  strength,  the  nitre  must  be  left  out,  and  from  two 
to  four  drachms  of  capsicum  added  to  the  camphor  in 
its  place,  and  given  every  four  or  six  hours.  Should  the 
physic  not  operate  in  twenty-four  hours,  half  the  above 
quantity  must  be  given  ;  if  still  losing  strength,  in  taking 
the  capsicum  and  camphor  he  must  have  added  to  them, 
night  and  morning,  from  three  to  four  drachms  of  finely 
powdered  cascarilla.  Injections  must  be  used  twice  a 
day  whilst  the  bowels  are  costive,  composed  of  half  an 
ounce  of  castile  soap,  to  a  quart  of  water,  and  four 
ounces  of  epsom  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  wa- 
ter, alternately.  The  throat  gargled  every  two  hours, 
with  a  tea  made  by  pouring  half  a  gallon  of  boiling  water 
on  six  drachms  of  capsicum,  and  when  cool,  add  a  pint  of 
good  vinegar.  The  throat  externally  must  be  well  rubbed 
with  the  following  mixture,  three  or  four  times  a  day  : 
half  a  pint  spirits  of  hartshorn,  ditto  of  turpentine,  ditto 
of  camphor,  all  mixed  and  kept  well  corked.  K  the 
horse  is  down  and  unable   to  get  up,  he  must   be  helped, 

HYSTERIA  IN  MARES. 

This  is  of  a  nervous  and  spasmodic  character,  and  is 
supposed  to  arise  from  derangement  in  the  organs  of 
generation.  In  the  human  subject,  plethora  and  suppres- 
sion of  the  menses  are  assigned  as  the  chief  causes  of 
this  affection  ;  yet  these  conditions,  probably  had  another 
antecedent,  which  is  quite  common  among  various 
species,  viz.,  dyspepsia;  it  is  most  frequently  among 
virgin  mares,  after  the  age  of  puberty  ;  and  in  such  as 
have  had  a  foal,  and  afterwards  dej^rived  of  sexual  in- 
tercourse. The  disease  is  most  apt  to  make  its  appear- 
ance about  the  menstrual  period  than  any  other. 

Symptoms. — They  seem  unwilling  to  perform  their  usual 
task,  either  as  travellers  or  as  draught  horses ;  they 
seem  fretful,  and  often  ill  tempered,  vicious,  spiteful,  and 
seized  with  a  paroxysm  resembUng  a  fit ;  and  he  or  fall 
down,  and  while  the  paroxysm  lasts  are  unable  to  get  up 


Slobbering  .  171 

again ;  she  is  not  herself,  (as  the  saying  is,)  being  ex- 
cessively nervous  and  irritable,  and  is  excited  by  the 
least  noise  ;  the  mare,  liowever,  gradually  becomes  calm, 
and  then  is  suddenly  seized  with  another  paroxysm  ;  or 
they  may  follow  each  other  in  rapid  succession,  in  which 
case  death  often  puts  an  end  to  the  scene,  or  it  results  in 
cerebal  disease. 

Treatment. — It  is  useless  to  give  medicine  while  the 
patient  is  in  a  paroxysm ;  all  that  can  be  done  is  to  give 
the  animal,  while  down,  an  injection  of  warm  water  and 
salt,  to  which  add  an  ounce  or  two  of  tincture  of  assafoe- 
tida  ;  let  the  external  surface  be  well  rubbed  with  wisps 
of  coarse  straw ;  as  soon  as  the  fit  is  over,  give  a  drench 
of  powdered  assafcetida,  2  drachms,  tincture  of  valerian^ 
1  ounce,  syrup  of  garlic,  2  ounces,  thiq^  gruel,  one  pint. 
If  the  animal  is  not  reHeved  in  the  course  of  six  hours, 
repeat  the  dose,  and  clear  out  the  bowels  with  a  dose  of 
glauber  salts,  to  which  add  a  small  quantity  of  ginger. 

SLOBBERING. 

This  complaint  is  quite  common  in  rural  districts,  where 
clover  is  used  as  a  pasture.  Lobelia  or  tobacco  will  pro- 
duce the  same  results.  This  is  caused  by  irritation,  the 
article  coming  in  direct  contact  with  highly  sensitive  se- 
cretary surfaces,  which  always  pour  out  theii*  fluids  on  the 
appHcation  of  an  irritant,  so  long  as  it  remains  an  irri- 
tant, and  provided  the  parts  retain  their  normal  sensi- 
bility, or  through  the  medium  of  absorbents ;  thus,  calo- 
mel will  cause  tlie  saUvatory  gland  to  secrete  and  pour 
forth  an  amount  of  fluid  almost  incredible.  A  horse  will 
secrete  more  than  one  and  a  half  gallons  of  fluid  per  hour. 
The  sharp  edges  of  a  Avorn-down  tooth,  or  a  tooth  in  a 
state  of  ulceration,  may  give  rise  to  profuse  salivation  ; 
then  again,  a  rough  bit,  and  a  hard  master  may  be  set 
down  among  the  direct  causes  of  this  complaint.  In- 
different fodder  of  any  kind  and  impaired  digestive  or- 
gans, are  apt  to  produce  augmented  salivary  secretion. 

Treatment. — The  causes  should  be  sought  for,  and  if 
practicable,  removed.    This  may,  of  itself,  produce  rehef. 


172  The  Horse  Farriek. 

If  the  trouble  can  be  traced  to  a  carous  tooth,  let  it  be 
extracted,  or  should  the  edges  of  a  tooth  irritate  the  in- 
side of  the  cheek,  apply  the  tooth  rasp,  and  make  ah 
smooth.  If  any  irritation  exists  about  the  glands  of  the 
throat  ar  1  mouth,  apply  a  stimulating  apphcation  to 
them,  composed  of  hartshorn  and  olive  oil.  If  some- 
thing noxious  in  the  food,  give  the  following : 

Powdered  bayberry  bark,  powdered  myrrh,  powdered 
goldenseal,  powdered  ginger,  powdered  sulphur,  of  each 
1  ounce.  Mix  ;  divide  the  mass  into  eight  parts,  and  mix 
one  in  fine  feed,  gargles,  composed  of  decoction  of  witch 
hasel,  bayberry  bark,  tincture  gum  catechu,  and  a  solu- 
tion of  alum,  either  of  which  is  good,  when  an  astrin- 
gent is  indicated. 

No.  2.  Mix  a  table  spoonful  of  sulphur  in  salt,  give 
once  or  twice  a  Week. 

'No.  3.  Burdock  leaves  are  said  to  eflect  a  cure. 
Horses  will  not  eat  them  only  when  they  are  troubled 
with  slobbers,  and  thus  eradicate  two  evUs  at   one   time. 

SPAVIiN". 

This  is  a  very  common  and  formidable  disease  of  the 
hock,  and  we  have  but  little  to  ofier  by  way  of  cure,  and 
the  majority  of  cases  may  be  pronounced  incurable  ;  the 
lameness  may  be  in  part  or  entirely  cured,  but  the  spavin 
cannot  be  radically  removed.  The  principal  cause  of  the 
disease  may  be  found  in  breeding  from  old  b  roken  down 
spavin  mares  and  worthless  studs,  but  the  exciting  or 
immediate  cause,  is  strain,  injury,  over-work,  &c. 

The  weight  and  concussion  being  thrown  principally 
on  the  inner  splent-bone,  produce  inflammation  of  the 
cartilagenous  substance  that  unites  it  to  the  shank-bone. 
In  consequence  of  it,  the  cartilage  is  absorbed,  and  bone 
deposited ;  the  union  between  the  splent  bone  and  the 
shank  becomes  bony,  instead  of  cartilagenous ;  the  de- 
gree of  elastic  action  between  them  is  destroyed,  and 
there  is  formed  a  splent  of  the  hind  leg.  The  disposition 
to  form  bony  matter  having  commenced,  bone  continues 
to  be  deposited,  and  it  generally  appears  in  the  form  of 


Spavin.  173 

a  tumor,  where  the  head  of  the  splent-bone  is  united 
with  the  shank,  and  in  front  of  that  union.  This  is  called 
bone  spavin.  Inflammation  of  the  ligaments  of  any  of 
the  small  bones  of  the  hock,  proceeding  to  bony  tumor, 
would  equally  class  under  the  name  of  spavin  ;  but  com- 
monly, the  disease  commences  on  the  precise  spot  that 
has  been  described. 

Symptoms. — While  spa\dn  is  forming  there  is  generally 
lameness  and  somethnes  very  great  but  not  entii*ely  to  unfit 
him  for  work ;  the  lameness  sometimes  abates  and  entirely 
disappears,  by  a  little  exercise,  but  when  the  membrane 
of  the  bone  has  accommodated  itself  to  the  tumor  that 
extended  it,  lameness  subsides  or  disappears,  or  depends 
upon  the  degree  which  the  bony  deposit  interfered  with 
the  motion  of  the  joint.  Sometimes  there  is  no  tumor  ; 
then  if  a  sort  of  regular  lameness  has  (Existed  for  some 
months,  referable  to  no  other  joint  than  the  hock,  and  the 
difficulty  has  of  late  gradually  increased,  so  that  the  joint 
appears  stifl?",  the  critter  is  there,  after  which  we  may 
expect  to  observe  a  tumor  on  the  inside  of  the  hock. 
A  tumor  once  formed  in  the  region  already  referred  to 
needs  no  icise  man  to  point  it  out ;  it  can  be  both  seen 
and  felt ;  and  this,  accompanied  with  hock  lameness  and 
ligamentary  tumefaction,  is  the  sym^Dtom  of  spavin  in  its 
exostotic  stage. 

Treatment, — For  bog  or  blood  spavin,  which  is  a  dis- 
tended state  of  the  sub-cutaneous  veins  in  the  region  of  the 
hock,  the  power  of  the  blood  is  partially  arrested,  which 
causes  the  soft  tumor  on  the  hock.  The  remedy  in  the 
early  stage,  coj^  water  and  refrigerating  lotions ;  in  the 
later  stages,  strong  infusion  of  bayberry  bark ;  and  lastly, 
brandy  and  salt,  perseveringly  applied.  Congestion  may 
be  treated  in  the  same  manner,  aided  by  fi-iction. 

The  horse,  as  soon  as  the  lameness  or  dry  signs  of  dis- 
ease are  perceptible,  should  have  rest,  and  cooling  appli- 
cations should  be  applied.  Dr.  Dadd  says :  Our  usual 
remedy  in  the  early  stage  is  muriatic  acid,  4  oimces,  water, 
2  quarts,  tincture  of  bloodroot,  6  ounces.  Applied  daily 
by  means  of  a  sponge,  as  follows  ;  Take  a  piece  of  sponge, 


174  The  Horse  Faerier. 

slightly  concave,  corresponding  as  nearly  as  possible  to  the 
form  and  size  of  the  hock ;  by  means  of  a  few  stitches, 
affix  two  pieces  of  tape  or  linen,  so  as  to  form  an  X ; 
each  piece  must  be  long  enough  to  encircle  the  joint  two 
or  three  times  ^  after  dipping  the  sponge  in  the  mixture, 
it  must  be  ajDplied  to  the  inside  of  the  hock,  and  there 
secui'ed,  and  afterwards  kept  constantly  moist.  Dr. 
Spooner  says :  If  any  external  inflammation  is  present, 
we  cannot  do  better  than  commence  by  abstracting  blood 
from  the  vein  above,  and  use  cooling  applications  to  the 
hock  ;  after  which  w^e  may  resort  to  the  blister,  or  seton. 
We  have  succeeded  and  failed  with  both. 

WI^^GALLS. 

The  bursal  capsules,  located  just  above  the  fetlock,  as 
well  as  in  the  vicmity  of  the  hock,  secrete  a  synovial  fluid, 
corresponding  to  what  some  persons  term  '■''joint  oil^''^ 
the  use  of  which  is  to  facilitate  motion.  In  cases  of  this 
character,  either  the  walls  of  the  capsule  are  augmented 
in  bulk — or  the  synovial  secretion  is  inordinate,  or  else 
its  flow  is  obstructed.  Counter  irritants,  bandage,  fric- 
tion, and  regular  exercise  are  the  best  remedies,  but  these 
sometimes  fail. 

RINGBONE. 

Bingbone  is  a  deposit  of  bony  matter  in  one  of  the 
pasterns,  and  usually  near  the  joint.  It  rapidly  spreads, 
and  involves  not  only  the  pastern  bones,  but  the  cartila- 
ges of  the  foot,  and  spreading  around  the  pasterns  and 
cartilages,  thus  derives  its  name.  Ringbone  is  sometimes 
hereditary ;  though  it  is  usually  occasioned  by  a  strain 
taken  in  curvetting,  bounding  turns,  and  violent  gallop- 
ing or  racing.  A  coarse  or  half-bred,  fleshy,  or  bony- 
legged  horse,  with  short  and  upright  pasterns  is  the  ordi- 
nary subject  of  this  disease. 

The  treatment  will  be  similar  to  spavin,  in  reality  there 
is  no  cure,  but  the  lameness  may  be  in  a  great  measure 
removed  by  cooling  applications,  cold  water  bandage,  lin- 
iments, and  above  all,  give  the  horse  rest. 

Prof.  Spooner  says :  The  best  treatment  for  ringbones 
after  the  inflammation  has  been  in  great  measure  removed 


Founder.  175 

by  cooling  applications,  is  to  well  rub  in  the  iodine  of  mer- 
cury ointment,  washing  oft'  the  eftects  on  the  following 
day,  and  thus  repeating  it  again  and  again.  We  have  by 
such  means  succeeded  in  removing  the  lameness,  dimin- 
ishing the  enlargement,  and  restoring  the  animal,  in  many 
cases,  to  a  state  of  usefulness. 

FOUNDER    OR   ACUTE    RHEUMATISM. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  among  horses.  Foun- 
der is  produced  by  driving  a  horse,  when  in  a  state  of 
perspiration,  into  a  pond,  exposing  him  to  cold  wind  or 
rain,  or  tying  him  up  in  the  stable  yard  while  the  hos- 
tler washes  his  legs  or  thighs,  and  sometimes  his  body ; 
but  excessive  exertion  alone  will,  and  often  does,  produce 
every  kind  of  founder. 

Symptoms. — The  earliest  symptoms  of  fever  in  the  feet 
are  lidgetyness,  frequent  shifting  of  the  fore-legs.  The 
pulse  is  quickened,  the  flanks  heaving,  the  nostrils  red, 
and  the  horse,  by  his  anxious  countenance,  and  possibly 
moaning,  indicates  great  pain.  He  looks  about  as  it' 
preparing  to  lie  down  ;  he  continues  to  shift  his  weight 
from  foot  to  foot ;  he  is  afraid  to  draw  his  feet  sufticiently 
under  him  for  the  purpose  of  lying  down ;  but  at  length 
he  drops.  His  quietness  when  down  will  distinguish  it 
from  colic  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  in  both  of 
which  the  horse  is  up  and  do^vn,  and  frequently  rolling 
and  kicking  when  down.  When  the  grievance  is  in  the 
feet,  the  horse  experiences  so  much  relief,  from  getting 
rid  of  the  weight,  that  he  is  glad  to  lie  as  long  as  he  can. 
He  will  likcAvise,  as  clearly  as  in  inflammation  of  the  lungs 
or  bowels,  point  out  the  seat  of  disease,  by  looking  at  the 
part.  His  muzzle  will  often  rest  on  the  feet  or  the  aflec- 
ted  foot. 

The  feet  will  be  found  hot,  the  patient  will  express 
pain  if  they  are  slightly  rapped  with  a  hammer,  and  the 
artery  at  the  pastern  will  throb  violently.  If  the  dis- 
ease is  suftered  to  pursue  its  course,  he  will  be  perfectly 
unable  to  rise ;  or,  if  he  is  forced  to  get  up,  and  one  foot 
is  lifted,  he  will  stand  "\\dth  difliculty  on  the  others,  or 
pei'haps  drop  at  once,  from  intensity  of  pain. 


176  The  Hokse  Farkiek. 

Treatment. — Youatt  says,  bleeding  is  indispensable. 
If  the  disease  is  confined  to  the  fore-feet,  four  quarts  of 
blood  should  be  taken  as  soon  as  possible  from  the  toe  -of 
each  ;  care  being  taken  to  open  the  artery  as  well  as  the 
vein.  The  feet  may  likewise  be  put  into  warm  water,  to 
quicken  the  flow  of  the  blood,  and  increase  the  quantity 
abstracted.  Poultices  of  linseed  meal,  made  very  soft, 
should  cover  the  whole  of  the  foot  and  pastern,  and  be 
frequently  renewed.  The  shoe  should  be  removed,  the 
sole  pared  as  thin  as  possible,  and  the  crust,  and  j^articu- 
larly  the  quarters,  well  rasped.  This  must  be  done 
gently,  and  with  a  great  deal  of  patience.  Sedative  and 
:ooling  medicmes  should  be  dihgently  administered,  con- 
sisting of  digitalis,  nitre,  and  emetic  tartar.  About 
the  third  day  a  blister  may  be  tried,  taking  in  the  whole 
of  the  pastern  and  the  coronet,  and  washed  off  the  fol- 
lowing day,  and  repeated  several  times.  The  horse 
should  be  kept  on  mash  diet,  unless  green  meat  can  be 
procured ;  and  that  should  not  be  given  too  liberally. 
Linseed  tea,  and  water  acidulated  with  cream  of  tartar, 
form  the  best  drink  for  patients.  When  the  season  will 
permit,  two  months'  run  at  grass  will  be  serviceable. 

CHRONIC    FOUNDER. 

The  principal  difference  between  this  and  the  acute 
disease  lies  in  the  less  activity  of  the  attack  and  inflam- 
matory fever,  and  the  indefinite  duration  of  the  symp- 
toms ;  the  lameness  is  not  persistent,  but  goes  off  after 
exercise,  and  returns  again  while  the  animal  is  at  rest. 

The  treatment  should  be  similar  to  that  recommended 
for  the  acute  disease — blood-letting,  poultices,  fomenta- 
tions, and  blisters,  and  the  last  much  sooner  and  much 
more  frequently  than  in  the  former  disease. 

CRAMP. 

This  is  a  sudden,  involuntary,  and  painful  spasm  of  a 
particular  muscle.  It  occasionally  attacks  the  muscles  of 
organic  life,  but  in  its  most  common  form  only  aflects  the 
Iniid  extremities,  where  it  is  observed  by  the  temporary 
lameness  and  stiffness  it  produces,  in  the  hardly  worked 


Splent.  177 

horse,  as  he  is  first  led  out  of  the  stable  in  the  morning. 
If  any  lameness  remains,  which  can  be  ascertained  by 
pressing  the  parts,  it  should  be  removed  by  hard  rubbing, 
or  by  giving  the  horse  a  wider  or  more  tjomfortable  stall, 
if  that  should  appear  to  be  the  origin  of  the  difficulty. 

SPLENT. 

This  is  a  callous  or  osseous  tumor — growing  upon  one, 
or  contiguous  to  one,  of  the  splent  bones. 

A  splent  seldom  occasions  lameness,  except  in  the  pri- 
mary stage.  When  the  membrane  has  accommodated  it- 
self to  the  tumor,  the  lameness  subsides,  and  altogether 
disap])ears,  unless  the  splent  be  in  a  situation  in  which  it 
interferes  with  the  action  of  some  tendon  or  ligament,  or 
in  the  immediate  n-eighborhood  of  a  joint. 

Treatmext. — The  haii-  should  be  closely  shaved  off 
round  the  tumor;  a  little  strong  mercurial  ointment 
rubbed  in  for  two  days  ;  and  this  followed  by  an  active 
bhster.  If  the  splent  is  of  recent  formation,  it  will  gen- 
erally yield  to  this,  or  to  a  second  bhster. 

LAMENESS. 

Lameness  of  whatever  kind  should  have  prompt  atten- 
tion. However  trivial  it  may  appear,  it  may  end  in  a  chronic 
lameness  and  perhaps  in  spavm  or  ringbone.  If  th« 
cause  is  not  clear  to  the  owner,  he  had  better  consult  one 
that  is  skilled,  though  it  may  cost  a  little  trouble  and 
money.  There  are  various  causes  and  kinds  of  lameness. 
It  frequently  arises  from  shoeing,  or  by  pickmg  up  some 
foreign  bodies.  Removing  the  cause,  will  generally  be  sui- 
ficient  to  effect  a  cure,  but  if  the  incision  is  deep,  dress 
with  fir  balsam,  or  mixed  soap  and  sugar.  In  stifle  joint 
lameness,  the  s}Tnptoms  are  heat  and  tenderness,  and 
the  hmb  is  advanced  with  difficulty ;  rest,  fomentations 
with  infusion  of  poppy  heads,  cold  water,  and  sometimes 
physic,  will  be  the  most  proper  means  of  cure.  For  chronic 
stifle  lameness,  originating  in  adhesions,  or  infiltrations 
of  the  surromiding  tissues,  a  few  apphcations  of  the  ace- 
tate of  cantharides  ^vill  probably  efl'ect  a  cure.  Lame- 
ness in  the  hock,  from  strain,  over-work,  or  blow,  is  evi- 


178  The  Horse  Fakeiee. 

dent  from  the  heat,  pain,  and  tumefaction  about  the  part  • 
the  animal  will  flinch  when  the  part  is  handled,  and  some- 
times catch,  the  leg  up.  The  parts  should  be  kept  cool  by 
sponge,  and  the  horse  should  have  rest.  If  he  is  worked,  a 
it  may  prove  a  spavin.  In  lameness  of  the  shoulder,  the 
symptoms  are,  the  horse  moves  the  leg  in  a  circular  form 
instead  of  advances  forward,  and  the  action  of  one  shoul- 
der is  quite  different  from  the  other ;  the  animal  throws 
the  weight  of  the  body  as  much  on  the  sound  side  as 
possible. 

Treatment. — If  caused  by  heavy  drawing,  violent 
tugging,  or  galloping  on  roads,  rest,  fomentations,  and  a 
light  dose  of  medicine  are  indicated.  Should  the  animal 
still  be  lame  after  the  inflammatory  symptoms,  have  sub- 
sided, use  the  following  liniment :  Linseed  oil,  one  pint, 
chloric  ether,  1  ounce,  oil  of  cedar,  half  an  ounce. 
Mix ;  and  api^ly  to  the  shoulder,  night  and  morning. 
If  the  disease  is  confined  to  the  joint,  blister,  or  stimu- 
lating hniments  may  answer. 

ELBOW    JOINT    LAMENESS. 

The  symptoms  are  tenderness,  pain,  swelling,  heat, 
and  tumefaction  around  the  joint,  with  inability  of  free 
motion,  &c.  A  dose  of  cathartic  medicine,  if  high  heat 
prevails  in  the  surface  of  the  lame  region, — vinegar  and 
water — are  indicated.  Very  little  benefit  can  be  derived 
from  any  treatment,  unless  the  animal  be  kept  at  rest, 
and  on  a  light  diet.  In  the  greater  number  <5f  cases  of 
fracture,  it  will  be  necessary  to  place  the  horse  under 
considerable  restraint,  or  even  to  susj)end  or  sling  him. 
A  broad  piece  of  sail-cloth,  furnished  with  two  breech- 
ings,  and  two  breast-girths,  is  placed  under  the  animal'? 
belly,  and,  by  means  of  ropes  and  pulleys  attached  to  a 
cross  beam  above,  he  is  elevated  or  lowered  as  circum- 
stances may  require.  It  will  seldom  be  necessary  to  lift 
the  patient  quite  ofi"  the  ground,  and  the  horse  will  be 
quietest,  and  most  at  his  ease,  when  his  feet  are  suffered 
just  to  touch  it.  The  head  is  confined  by  two  collar  ropes, 
and  the  head-stall  well  padded.  Many  horses  may  plunge 
about  and  be  difficult  to  manage  at  first,  but  generally 


speaking,  it  is  not  long  ere  they  become  perfectly  pas- 
sive. 

The  use  of  the  different  buckles  and  straps  which  are 
attached  to  the  sail-cloth  will  be  evident  on  inspection. 
If  the  horse  exhibits  more  than  usual  uneasiness,  other 
ropes  may  be  attached  to  the  corners  of  the  sail-cloth. 
This  will  afford  considerable  relief  to  the  patient,  as  weF 
as  add  to  the  security  of  the  bandages. 

TOE  CRACK. 

The  practice  is  first,  to  poultice  the  foot,  (supposing 
the  shoe  to  have  been  removed,)  with  a  view  of  softening 
the  hoof  and  removmg  any  extraneous  matter  that  may. 
have  insinuated  itself  into  the  crack.  When  the  hoof  is 
sufficiently  softened,  it  should  be  cleansed,  examined, 
and  dressed  with  tincture  of  myrrh.  Select  a  spot 
about  an  inch  below  the  coronet,  and  with  a  small  gimlet 
bore  a  hole  through  the  two  edges  of  the  crack,  and  an- 


180  The  Horse  Farriee. 

other  one  inch  above  the  toe.  A  straight  needle,  armed 
with  a  strong  hgature,  is  to  be  passed  through  the  upper 
noles,  brought  over  and  through  a  second  time ;  thus  clo- 
sing the  two  edges  of  the  fissure  by  what  the  sailors  term  a 
"  round  turn."  The  same  thing  is  to  be  repeated  at  the 
toe.  The  assistant,  by  the  aid  of  pmcers  or  otherwise, 
shuts  the  crack  as  close  as  possible  ;  the  ligatures  are  each 
drawn  tight,  and  tied  with  a  surgeon's  knot.  A  small 
quantity  of  blister  ointment  is  to  be  smeared  over  the 
crack,  and  bar  shoe  applied.  A  quarter  crack  may  be 
treated  in  a  similar  manner,  omittmg,  however,  the 
sutures. 

After  the  edges  have  firmly  united,  cut  the  ligatures, 
and  pare  the  uneven  edges  of  the  cicatrix  level  with  the 
surrounding  parts,  and  the  cure  is  completed. 

SWELLED  LEGS. 

If  it  occurs  in  young  horses,  and  from  those  that  are 
over-fed  and  little  exercised,  sometimes  diuretics  or 
purgatives,  with  proper  management,  will  afford  relief, 
if  there  is  a  great  degree  of  stiffness  and  pain,  somtiraes 
abscesses  appear.  Physic  or  diuretics,  or  both,  must  be  had 
recourse  to,  if  not  connected  with  diseases  and  gen- 
eral debility.  Mingle  cordial  with  diuretics.  Hay  ban- 
dages dipped  in  water  have  a  good  effect  for  the  agricul- 
tural horse. 

SCRATCHES. 

Swelled  legs,  although  distinct  from  grease,  is  a  disease 
that  is  apt  to  degenerate  mto  it.  Scratches  is  a  specific 
mflammation  of  the  skin  and  heels,  sometunes  of  the  fore- 
feet, but  oftener  of  the  hinder  ones.  The  principal  cause 
of  the  disease  is,  neglected  grooming  and  care,  Avant  of 
exercise,  high  feeding,  washing  the  feet  and  leavmg  them 
to  dry.  The  prevention  will  be  proper  ventilation,  good 
stabling,  grooming,  and  proper  care.  It  is  more  likely  to 
affect  horses  with  white  feet  than  others.  Some  consider 
the  disease  contagious. 

Symptoms. — The  first  is  heat  and  tenderness.  On  ap- 
plying the  hand  to  the  heel  and  fetlock,  the  parts  will  be 
found  hot,  and  und^r  pressure,  the  animal  will   evince 


ScR  ACHES.  181 

signs  of  pain.  As  the  disease  progresses,  the  parts  be- 
come swollen, — inliltrated  with  serum, — thus  increasing 
the  iniiammatory  symptoms,  and  causing  the  animal  much 
pahi,  w^hich  he  usually  evinces  by  occasionally  catching 
lip  the  foot;  the  hairs  stand  out  horizontally.  When 
the  disease  attacks  both  hind  legs,  the  pain  is  sometimes 
intense,  especially  if  the  horse  be  plethoric,  or  his  system 
is  charged  with  morbid  humors.  In  the  latter  case,  the 
greasydischarge  is  very  profuse ;  for  the  pent-up  waste 
matters  have  now  found  an  outlet,  which  admit  of  a  free 
discharge  of  the  fluids  of  the  body. 

TREATiiENT. — Attention  must  first  be  paid  to  diet,  ven- 
tilation and  cleanliness.  The  heels  should  be  gently 
washed  wdth  castile  soap  and  water,  and  ointment  ap- 
pHed  in  more  advanced  cases.  Poultice  with  linseed  meal 
or  carrots,  boiled  and  mashed,  may  be  applied,  adding  a 
little  astringent  lotions  to  renew  the  irritation,  and  check 
the  discharge — give  the  cleansing  powder.  The  follow- 
ing will  also  be  found  beneficial  Avhich  has  been  highly 
recommended,  by  Prof.  Xorton,  and  others :  Pyrolig- 
neous  acid.  Unseed  oil,  turpentine,  of  each  equal  parts. 
Mix;  first  wash  wdth  water  and  castile  soap;  alter  wipmg 
them  dry,  apply  the  mixture.  Repeat  night  and  morn- 
ing. In  order  to  keep  down  "proud  flesh,"  the  parts 
may  be  sprinkled  daily  with  burnt  alum.  Put  on  a  good 
coating;  cover  the  sore  with  dry  Imt,  and  apply  a  ban- 
dage over  all.  Bandages  should  always  be  dispensed  with, 
if  possible. 

POULTRY   LOUSINESS.  ^ 

Horses  frequently  become  infected  with  lice  from  poul- 
try, having  the  roosting  place  adjohimg  the  stalls.  When 
this  is  discovered,  the  preventive  will  be  to  remove  the 
roosting    place,  and   scald   and   whitewash   the     stable. 

Symptom. — The  horse  is  seized  with  violent  itchhig, 
shows  a  disposition  to  rub  and  bite  himself,  strike  his 
belly,  is  not  easy  for  a  moment,  at  night  his  torment  in- 
creases, after  tliis  his  skin  loosens,  his  hair  and  main  some- 
times break  out  with  eruptions. 

Treatment. — In  order  to  destroy  the  vermin,  and  at 


182  The  Horse  Fakkiee. 

the  same  time  to  cure  the  cutaneous  eruptions,  and  res- 
tore the  hair,  take  linseed  oil,  one  ounce,  pyroligneous 
acid,  3  ounces,  spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce.  Two  or 
three  apphcations  of  this  compound  will  generally  suffice. 
The  parts  to  which  the  appUcation  has  been  made  must 
be  washed  with  soap  and  water.  The  vermin  can  also  be 
destroyed  by  sponging  the  body  with  an  infusion  of 
lobeHa. 

HIDE    BOUND. 

This  term  is  applied  to  horses  whose  coat  are  staring^ 
and  skin  tight  on  the  ribs  and  otherwise  out  of  condition. 
It  is  not  so  much  of  a  disease  as  a  symptom  of  a  disease, 
particularly  of  the  digestive  organs.  Every  disease  that 
can  effect  the  general  system  may  produce  this.  Glan- 
ders, scratches,  chronic  cough,  farcy  founder,  are  accom- 
panied by  hide  bound.  Diet  too  sparing,  or  want  of  change 
in  diet,  is  an  unfailing  source  of  it ;  if  the  cause  is  removed, 
the  effect  will  follow. 

Tkeatment. — If  no  disease  appears  about  the  horse, 
change  the  diet,  clothe  the  body  warmly,  give  a  few 
mashes,  and  a  mild  physic,  or  give  alteratives,  and  there 
is  none  better  than  that  which  is  in  common  use,  pulver- 
ized antimony,  nitre  and  sulphur.  Should  the  horse  not 
feed  well,  and  there  is  no  fever,  a  slight  tonic  may  be 
given  of  ginger.     Friction  may  be  used  to  advantage. 

glanders. 

This  is  the  most  formidable  of  all  the  diseases  to  which 
^the  horse  is  subject.  This  disease  is  spontanous  with 
the  horse  only.  In  other  animals,  it  is  the  result  of  con- 
tagion. In  the  horse,  it  is  the  result  of  injuries  of  some 
kind,  acting  upon  and  weakening  the  vital  energies  of 
the  Iming  membrane  of  the  nose.  It  is  often  the  conse- 
quence of  catarrh,  influenza,  distemper,  and  long-continu- 
ed discharge  from  the  nose. 

They  have  been  produced  by  the  injection  of  stimula- 
ting and  acrid  substance  uj)  the  nostril.  No  disease  will 
run  on  to  glanders  which  has  not,  to  a  considerable  and 
palpable  degree,  impaired  and  broken  down  the  constitu 


Glanders,  183 

tion ;  and  every  disease  that  does  this  will  run  on  to  glan- 
ders. 

Glanders  are  highly  contagious.  If  the  discharge  from 
the  nostrils  of  a  glandered  horse  is  rubbed  on  a  wound, 
or  on  a  mucus  surface,  like  the  nostrils,  it  will  produce  a 
similar  disease. 

If  some  persons  underrate  the  danger,  it  is  because  the 
disease  may  remain  unrecognized  in  the  infected  horse  for 
some  months,  or  even  years,  and  therefore,  when  it  ap- 
pears, it  is  attributed  to  other  causes.  No  glandered 
horse  should  be  employed  on  any  farm,  nor  should  a  glan- 
dered horse  be  permitted  to  work  on  any  road,  or  even 
to  pasture  on  any  field.     He  should  be  destroyed. 

It  is  capable  of  being  communicated  to  the  human  be- 
ing, and,  indeed,  there  have  been  very  many  deaths  from 
this  cause,  and  most  horrible  deaths  they  are.  It  is  gen- 
erally by  means  of  some  cut  or  abrasion,  which  comes  in 
contact  with  the  glandered  matter,  that  the  infection  is 
communicated.  The  utmost  caution  should,  therefore,  be 
exercised  by  the  attendants. 

The  stall  and  fences  may  receive  the  glanderous  mat- 
ter ;  and  hardening  on  them,  it  may  months  afterwards 
communicate  the  disease  to  horses,  sheep  and  cattle. 

The  earliest  symptom  of  glanders  is  an  increased  dis- 
charge from  the  nostril,  small  in  quantity,  constantly  flow- 
ing, of  a  w^atery  character,  and  a  little  mucus  mingling 
with  it. 

It  is  a  common  and  very  mischievous  error  to  suppose 
that  this  discharge  is  sticky,  when  it  first  makes  its  a§^ 
pearance.  It  is  mucus,  but  small  and  constant  discharge, 
and  is  thus  distinguished  from  catarrh,  or  nasal  gleet,  or 
any  other  discharge  from  the  nostril. 

The  peculiar  stickmess  and  giuiness  supposed  to  dis- 
tinguish the  discharge  of  glanders  from  all  other  mucus 
and  prevalent  secretions  belongs  to  the  second  stage  of 
the  disease,  and,  for  many  months  before  this,  glanders 
may  have  existed  in  an  insidious  and  highly  contagious 
form.  It  must  bo  acknowledged,  however,  that,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  some  degree  of  stickiness  does  charac- 


184  The  Horse  Farriee. 

terize  the  discliarge  of  glanders  from  a  very  early  pe- 
riod. 

It  is  a  singular  circumstance,  that  when  one  nostril 
alone  is  attacked,  it  is,  in  a  great  majority  of  cases,  the  left. 

This  discharge  may"  continue  in  so  slight  a  degree  as  to 
be  scarcely  perceptible,  for  many  months,  or  even  two  or 
three  years,  unattended  by  any  other  disease,  even  ul- 
ceration of  the  nostril,  and  yet  the  horse  being  decided- 
ly glandered  from  the  beginning,  and  capable  of  propa- 
gating the  malady.  In  process  of  time,  however,  it  ming- 
les with  the  discharge,  and  then  another  and  a  charac- 
teristic symptom  appears.  Some  of  this  is  absorbed,  and 
the  neighboring  glands  become  affected.  If  there  is 
discharge  from  both  nostrils,  the  glands  within  the  under 
jaw  wiU  be  on  both  sides  enlarged.  If  the  discharge  is 
from  one  nostril  only,  the  swelled  gland  Tvall  be  found  on 
that  side  alone.  Glanders,  however,  will  frequently  ex- 
ist at  an  early  stage,  without  these  swelled  glands,  and 
some  other  diseases,  as  catarrh,  will  produce  them.  Then 
we  must  look  out  for  some  peculiarity  about  these 
glands,  and  we  shall  readily  find  it.  The  swelling  may 
be  at  first  somewhat  large  and  diffused,  but  the  surround- 
ing enlargement  soon  goes  off,  and  one  or  two  small,  dis- 
tinct glands  remain ;  and  they  are  not  in  the  centre  of 
the  channel,  but  adhere  closely  to  the  jaw  on  the  affecte'd 
side. 

The  membrane  of  the  nose  should  now  be  examined, 
and  will  materially  guide  our  opinion.  It  will  either  be 
<jgf  a  dark  purplish  hue,  or  almost  of  a  leaden  color,  or  of 
any  shade  between  the  two  ;  or  if  there  is  some  redness 
of  inflammation,  it  will  have  a  purple  tinge.  Spots  of  ul- 
ceration wiU  probably  appear  on  the  membrane  cover- 
the  cartilage  of  the  nose — small  ulcers,  usually  approach- 
ing to  a  circular  form,  deep,  and  with  the  edges  abrupt 
and  prominent.  When  these  appearances  are  observed, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  about  the  matter. 

When  ulcers  begin  to  appear  on  the  membrane  of  the 
nose,  the  constitution  of  the  horse  is  soon  evidently  af- 
fected. The  patient  loses  flesh — his  belly  is  tucked  up, 
his  coat  unthrifty,  and  readily  coming  ofl* — ^the  appetite 


Farcy.  185 

is  impaired — the  strength  fails — cough,  more  or  less  ur- 
gent, may  be  heard — the  discharge  from  the  nose  will  in- 
crease in  quantity ;  it  will  be  discolored,  bloody,  offensive 
to  the  smell — the  ulcers  in  the  nose  will  become  larger 
and  more  numerous,  and  the  air-passages  being  obstruct- 
ed, a  grating,  choking  noise  will  be  heard  at  every  act  of 
breathing.  There  is  now^  a  peculiar  tenderness  about  the 
forehead.  Farcy  is  now  superadded  to  glanders,  or  glan- 
ders has  degenerated  into  tarcy,  and  more  of  the  absorb- 
*ents  are  involved. 

At  or  before  this  time  little  tumors  appear  about  the 
muscles,  and  face,  and  neck,  following  the  course  of  the 
veins  and  the  absorbents,  for  they  run  side  by  side ;  and 
these  tumors  soon  ulcerate.  Tumors  or  buds,  still  pur- 
sumg  the  path  of  the  absorbents,  soon  appear  on  the 
mside  of  the  thighs.  They  are  connected  together  by  a 
corded  substance,  and  ulceration  quickly  follows  the  ap- 
pearance of  these  buds.  The  deeper  seated  absorbents 
are  next  affected ;  and  one  or  both  of  the  hind-legs  swell 
to  a  great  size,  and  become  stiff",  and  hot,  and  tender. 
The  loss  of  flesh  and  strength  is  more  marked  every  day. 
The  membrane  of  the  nose  becomes  of  a  dirty  livid  col- 
or. The  membrane  of  the  mouth  is  strangely  pallid. 
The  eye  is  infiltrated  with  a  yellow  fluid ;  and  the  dis- 
charge from  the  nose  becomes  more  profuse,  and  ijisuffera- 
bly  offensive.  The  animal  presents  one  mass  of  putre- 
faction, and  at  last  dies,  exhausted. 

Treatment.— In  well  settled  cases  of  this  disease 
farcy,  it  is  not  worth  while  to  attempt  any  remedi 
The  chances  of  cure  are  too  remote,  and  the  danger  of 
infection  too  great.  The  horse  should  be  dispatched  at 
once. 

If,  however,  remedial  measures  are  resorted  to,  a  pure 
atmosphere  should  be  tried ;  and  if  practicable,  keep  on 
green  food.  If  this  cannot  be  had,  substitute  it  by  boiled 
carrots,  beets,  and  turnips,  thickened  with  shorts  or  fine 
feed.     Give  all  the  salt  the  horse  will  eat.     See  receipts. 

FARCY. 

Authorities  define  farcy  to  be  a  disease  of  the  lym- 


186  The  Horse  Farrier. 

phatic  vessels,  making  its  appearance  in  the  fonn  of 
circular  swellings,  termed  farcy  huds^  which  terminate  in 
a  discharge  and  ulceration. 

The  causes  of  farcy  exist  in  any  thing  that  deranges 
the  lymphatic  system;  and  probably  the  same  causes 
that  operate,  either  by  contagion  or  otherwise,  to  pro- 
duce glanders,  will  produce  farcy.  "  By  inoculation, 
farcy  has  been  produced  by  the  matter  of  glanders,  and 
glanders  by  the  matter  of  farcy;  and,  consequently, 
there  is  every  reason  to  infer  a  similarity,  or  rather  an- 
identity,  in  the  virus  of  the  two  diseases ;  one  disease, 
or  form  of  disease,  almost  invariably  terminates  in  the 
other,  prior  to  dissolution.  There  can  be  no  question 
but  that  the  same  contaminated  atmosphere  of  the  stable 
or  elsewhere,  which  produces  glanders,  may  occasion  far- 
cy, and  vice  versa.'''' 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  not  in  his  usual  spirits,  ap- 
pears dull  and  does  not  partake  of  food  with  his  accus- 
tomed relish.  Some  horse's  pulse  will  be  quicker  than 
natural,  mouth  hot,  urine  high-colored,  &c. ;  others  are 
suddenly  attacked  with  a  swollen  leg.  So  sudden,  sharp, 
and  severe  are  attacks  of  farcy  in  some  instances,  that  in 
the  course  of  one  night,  the  horse's  limb  will  be  swollen 
to  a  frightful  size,  so  as  to  incapacitate  him  almost  from 
turning  in  his  stall  and  walking  out  of  the  stable. 

"  Viewing  the  affected  limb  from  behind,  we  perceive 
a  fulness  on  the  inside  of  the  thigh,  along  the  course  of 

•  femoral  vein ;  and  the  application  of  our  finger  to 
5  will  immediately  detect  a  corded,  nodous  swelhng, 
which  has  been  happily  enough,  in  the  sensation  it  con- 
veys to  our  feel,  compared  to  a  ^cord  with  so  many  knots 
tied  in  it. '  This  is  at  once  evidence  of  the  presence  of 
farcy. 

"  Tracmg  the  cord  upward  from  its  place  of  origin, 
which  commonly  is  above  the  hock,  the  hand  is  carried 
into  the  groin,  and  there  discovers  a  lobulated  tumor,  a 
swelluig  of  the  ingumal  glands,  called  a  bubo ;  some- 
tunes,  however,  the  bubo  does  not  make  its  appearance 
until  after  the  full  developement  of  the  cord." 


Poll  Evil.  187 

The  first  stage  of  farcy  is  tumification  of  tlie  lym- 
phatics— "  development  of  the  farcy  bud." 

The  second  stage  is  commonly  a  suppurative  one,  ter- 
minating in  a  farcy  ulcer.  After  passing  through  these 
two  stages,  the  disease  may,  and  frequently  does,  termi- 
nate in  glanders.  When  it  attacks  horses  in  good  condi- 
tion, some  hopes  may  be  entertained  of  a  cure.  "  No 
swelhng  of  a  hind  limb  (or  any  other  part)  constitutes 
a  case  of  farcy  apart  from  the  unequivocal  signs  of  lym- 
phatic disease ;  there  must  be  present  corded,  nodulated 
•swellings, — huds  in  some  form  or  other, — together  with 
actual  or  approachmg  tumefacation  of  the  lymphatic 
glands,  or  the  case  is  not  farcy." 

rOLL    EVIL   AXD    FISTULA   WITHERS. 

Poll  evil  generally  makes  its  appearance  about  the  nape 
of  the  neck  in  the  form  of  a  sv/elling,  and  if  not  arrested, 
ends  in  abscess  and  listula.  It  generally  proceeds  from 
blows  and  bruises,  striking  the  poll  against  the  ceiling  or 
beams,  jerking  the  head  upwards,  and.  coming  in  contact 
with  the  head-stalls.  Excessive  friction,  the  bungling  and 
cruel  manner  of  putting  on  small  collars,  &c.,  are  the 
principal  causes  of  this  complaint.  It  results  either  from 
neglect  or  abuse. 

Poll  evil  is  first  noticed  in  the  form  of  an  oval  tumor, 
hot  and  tender,  situated  directly  in  the  region  of  the 
nape,  mostly  inclining  to  one  side  ;  in  the  suppurative  stage, 
and  when  the  matter  is  deep-seated,  scarcely  any  fluctua- 
tion can  be  felt ;  when,  however,  the  matter  lies  directly 
beneath  the  skin,  or  in  the  cellular  tissues,  the  reverses^ 
the  case.  The  suppurative  finally  runs  into  the  ulcerative 
stage ;  we  then  observe  chasms  and  sinuses,  similar  to 
those  observed  in  fistula  of  the  Avithers,  and  finally  the 
bones  become  involved  in  the  disease. 

Fistula  of  the  withers  does  not  diifer  from  poll  evil- 
excej-'t  in  location,  but  is  more  frequent.  It  arises  in  con. 
sequence  of  the  witliers  being  more  exposed  to  injury- 
Fistula  is  the  more  formidable  ;  for  the  shmses  often  bur- 
row deep  between  the  shoulder  blade  and  spinous  pro- 
cesses, in  various  directions,  so  that  it  becomes  both  dif- 
ficult and  dangerous  to  search  for  them.  For  the  treat- 
ment of  fistula  and  poll  evil,  see  receipts. 


188 


Medicines. 


A  LIST  OF  THE  MEDICINES  AND  RECIPES  USED  IN  THE  TREAT- 
MENT OF  THE  DISEASES   OF   THE  HORSE. 


Vinegar  is  a  very  useful  ap- 
plication for  sprains  and  bruises. 
Equal  parts  of  boiling  water  and 
cold  vinegar  will  form  a  good 
fomeutation. 

Spirit  of  Salt. — This  acid  is 
formed  by  the  action  of  sulphu 
ric  acid  on  common  salt.  It  is 
decidedly  the  best  liquid  caustic 
we  have.  For  corns,  canker,  in- 
disposition in  the  sole  to  secrete 
good  horn,  wounds  in  the  foot 
not  attended  by  healthy  action. 

Nitric  Acid. — This  is  a  valua- 
ble external  application.  It  is 
both  a  caustic  and  an  anti-septic. 
It  destroys  fungous  excrescences. 

Sulphuric  Acid,  or  Oil  of  Vit- 
riol.— When  mixed  with  tar,  an 
ounce  to  the  pound,  it  is  a  good 
application  for  the  thrush  and 
canker  :  a  smaller  quantity,  mix- 
ed with  olive  oil,  makes  a  good 
stimulating  liniment. 

Aloes. — There  are  two  kinds 
used  in  horse  practice,  the  Bar- 
badoes  and  the  Cape.  The  Bar- 
badoes  aloes  have  a  greater  pur- 
gative power  than  the  Cape,  ex- 
clusive of  griping  less  and  being 
safer,  and  the  action  of  the  bow- 
els is  kept  up  longer. 

Alum, — is  used  internally  in 
cases  of  over-purging,  in  the  form 
of  alum- whey,  two  drachms  of 
the  powder  being  added  to  a  pint 
of  hot  milk.  Its  principal  use  is 
external.  A  solution  of  two 
drachms  to  a  pint  of  water  forms 
alone,  or  with  the  addition  of  a 
small  quantity  of  wliite  vitriol, 
a  very  useful  wash  for  cracked 
heels,  and  for  grease  generally  ; 
and  also  for  those  forms  of  swel- 
led legs  attended  with  exudation 
of  moisture  through  the  skin. 


Anodynes. — Opium  is  the  only 
drug  that  will  lull  pain.  It  may 
be  given  as  an  anodyne,  but  it 
will  also  be  an  astringent  in 
doses  of  1,  2,  or  3  drachms. 

Camphor. — It  diminishes  the 
frequency  of  the  pulse,  and  sof- 
tens its  tone.  When  long  ex- 
hibited, it  acts  on  the  kidneys. 
Exteinally  applied,  it  is  said  to 
be  a  discutient  and  an  anodj'ne 
for  chronic  sprains,  bruises  and 
tumors. 

Spanish  Flies, — are  the  basis 
of  the  most  approved  and  useful 
veterinary  blisters.  An  infusion 
of  two  ounces  of  the  flies  in  a 
pint  of  oil  of  turpentine,  for  sev- 
eral days,  IS  occasionally  used 
as  a  liquid  blister;  and,  when 
sufficiently  lowered  with  com- 
mon oil,  it  is  called  a  sweating 
oil.  They  have  been  recom- 
mended for  the  cure  of  glanders. 
The  dose  is  from  five  to  eight 
grains  given  daily,  but  withheld 
for  a  day  or  two  when  diuresis 
supervenes. 

Guinea  Pepper. — The}'^  are  val- 
uable as  stimulants.  Their  bene- 
ficial effect  in  cases  of  cold  has 
seldom  been  properly  estimated. 
The  dose  is  from  a  scruple  to 
half  'a  drachm. 

Caraway  Seeds. — These  and 
ginger,  alone  or  combined,  are 
the  best  stimulants  used  in  horse 
practice. 

Castor  Oil  —  is  an  expensive 
medicine.  It  must  be  given  in 
large  doses. 

Japan  Earth — is  a  very  useful 
asti"ingent.     It  is  given  in  over- 
purging,  in  doses  of  one  or  two 
drachms,  with  opium. 
Charcoal — is  occasionally  used 


Medicines. 


m 


as  an  nntiseptio,  beiTis;  made  into 
n  poultice  with  linseed  meal,  and 
applied  to  foul  and  offensive  ul- 
cers, and  to  cracked  h-eels. 

Verdigris  is  usefully  applied 
externallj'  as  a  mild  caustic. 
Either  alone,  in  the  form  of  fine 
powder,  or  mixed  with  an  equal 
quantity  of  the  sucrar  of  lead,  it 
cats  down  proud  flesh,  or  stimu- 
lates old  ulcers  to  healthy  action. 
When  boiled  with  honey  and 
vinegar,  it  constitutes  the  fai^ 
I'ier's  Ecrvptiacum,  certainly  of 
benefit  in  cankered  or  ulcerated 
mouth,  and  no  bad  application 
for  thrushes. 

Blue  Vitriol. — It  is  a  favorite 
tonic  with  many  practitioners. 
It  is  priueipally  valuable  as  an 
external  application,  dissolved  in 
water  in  the  proportion  of  two 
drachms  to  a  pint,  and  acting  as 
a  gentle  stimulant.  If  an  ounce 
is  dissolved  in  the  same  quanti- 
ty of  water,  it  becomes  a  mild 
caustic.  In  the  former  propor- 
tion, it  rouses  old  ulcers  to  a 
healthy  action,  and  disposes  even 
recent  wounds  to  heal  more 
quickly  than  they  otherwise 
would  do;  and  in  the  latter  it 
removes  fungous  granulations  or 
proud  flesh.  It  is  also  a  good 
application  for  canker  in  the  foot. 

Creosote — is  much  valued  on 
account  of  its  antiseptic  proper- 
ties and  sto[)ping  hemorrhages. 
It  is  both  a  stimulant  and  a  ton- 
ic. In  an  undiluted  state,  it  acts 
as  a  caustic.  In  the  form  of  a 
lotion,  a  liniment,  or  an  ointment, 
it  has  been  useful  in  farcy  and 
glanders,  also  in  foot-rot,  canker 
and  thrush.  As  a  caustic,  it  acts 
as  a  powerful  stimulant. 

Digitalis  —  Fox-Glove.  — The 
leaves  of  the  common  fox-glove, 


gathered  about  the  flowering 
time,  dried  carefully  in  a  dark 
place,  and  powdered,  and  kept 
in  a  close  black  bottle,  form  one 
of  the  most  valuable  medicines 
in  veterinary  practice.  It  is  a 
direct  and  powerful  sedative,  di- 
minishing the  frequency  of  the 
pulse,  and  the  general  irritabil- 
ty  of  the  system,  and  acting  also 
as  a  mild  diuretic :  it  is,  there- 
fore, useful  in  every  inflamma- 
tory and  febrile  complaint,  and 
particularly  in  inflammation  of 
the  chest.  It  is  usually  given  ia 
combination  with  emetic  tartar 
and  nitre.  The  average  dose  is 
one  drachm  of  digitalis,  one  and 
a  half  of  emetic  tartar,  and  three 
of  nitre,  repeated  twice  or  thrice 
in  a  da}'. 

Diuretics — constitute  a  useful 
class  of  medicines.  They  stimu- 
late the  kidneys  to  secrete  more 
than  the  usual  quantity  of  urine, 
or  to  separate  a  greater  than  or- 
dinary proportion  of  the  watery 
parts  of  the  blood. 

In  swelled  legs,  cracks,  grease, 
or  accumulation  of  fluid  in  any 
partand  in  those  superficial  erup- 
tions and  inflammations  which 
are  said  to  be  produced  by  hu- 
mors floating  in  the  blood,  diuret 
ics  are  evidently  beneficial ;  but 
tliey  should  be  as  mild  as  possi- 
ble, and  not  oftener  given  or  con- 
tinued longer  than  the  case  re- 
quires. 

Gentian  stands  at  the  head  of 
the  vegetable  tonics,  and  is  a 
stomachic,  as  well  as  a  tonic. — 
Four  drachms  of  gentian,  two  of 
chamomile,  one  of  carbonate  of 
iron,  and  one  of  ginger,  will 
make  an  excellent  tonic  ball.  An 
infusion  of  gentian  is  one  of  the 
best  applications  to  putrid  ulcers. 


190 


Medicines, 


Ginger — is  as  valuable  as  a 
cordial,  as  geatian  is  as  atonic. 
It  is  the  basis  of  the  cordial  ball, 
and  it  is  indispensable  in  the 
tonic  ball. 

Helebore,  black. — This  is  nsed 
mostly  as  a  local  application,  and 
as  such  it  is  a  very  powerful 
stimulant. 

Injections. — See  Clysters. 

Iodine. -—This  is  one  of  the 
most  valuable  drugs  used  in  the 
veterinary  practice.  It  is  used 
in  reducing  every  species  of  tu- 
mors. It  is  used  in  various  forms. 
Iodine  of  potassium  is  best  ad- 
ministered internally,  as  a  pro- 
moter of  absorption.  Combined 
with  the  sulphate  of  copper,  it 
forms  a  powerful  and  useful  ton- 
ic ;  whilst  in  the  form  of  iodine 
of  mercury,  and  combined  with 
lard  or  palm  oil,  it  becomes  a 
powerful  blister,  and  a  useful 
promoter  of  absorption. 

Chloride  of  Lime  is  exceeding- 
ly valuable.  Diluted  with  twen- 
ty times  its  quantity  of  water, 
it  helps  to  form  the  poultice  ap- 
plied to  oflFensive  discharges. — 
The  foetid  smell  of  fistulous  with- 
ers, poll-evil,  canker,  and  ill- 
conditioned  wounds,  is  imme- 
diately removed,  and  the  ulcers 
are  more  disposed  to  heal. 

Linseed  is  often  used  instead 
of  water,  for  the  drink  of  the 
horse  with  sore  throat  or  catarrh, 
or  disease  of  the  urinary  organs, 
or  of  the  bowels. 

Mashes, — constitute  a  very  im- 
portant part  of  horse-provender, 
whether  in  sickness  or  health. 

Mustard  Sinapis. — This  will  be 
found  useful,  if,  in  inflammation 
of  the  chest  or  bowels,  it  is  well 
rubbed  on  the  chest  or  abdomen. 

Nitrous  Ether,  Spirit  of, —  is 


a  very  useful  medicine  in  the  ad- 
vanced stages  of  fever. 

Opium, — However  underrated 
by  some,  is  a  valuable  drug  ;  buS 
it  is  a  powerful  antispasmodic, 
sedative  and  astringent. 

Palm  Oil,— is  the  ver}^  best 
substance  that  can  be  used  for 
making  masses  and  balls. 

Pitch. — The  best  plaster  for 
sand-crack  consists  of  one  pound 
of  pitch  and  an  ounce  of  yellow 
beeswax  melted  together. 

Nitrate  of  Potash  {Nitre)  is  a 
valuable  cooling  medicine  and  a 
mild  diuretic,  and  therefore  it 
should  enter  into  the  composition 
of  every  fever-ball.  Dose  is  from 
two  to  four  drachms. 

Poultices. — Few  horsemen  are 
aware  of  the  value  of  these  sim- 
ple applications  in  abating  inflam- 
mation, relieving  pain,  cleansing 
wounds,  and  disposing  them  to 
to  heal.  Linseed  meal  forms  the 
best  general  poultice,  because  it 
longest  retains  the  moisture. 

Sedatives, — are  medicines  thai 
subdue  irritation,  repress  spas- 
modic action,  or  deaden  pain. — 
Digitalis,  hellebore,  opium,  tur- 
pentine, are  medicines  of  this 
kind. 

Sugar  of  Lead,  —  See  under 
Lead  . 

Sulphur. — It  is  an  excellent 
alterative,  combined' usually  with 
antimony  and  nitre,  and  particu- 
larly for  mange,  surfeit,  grease, 
hide-bound,  or  want  of  condition^ 
and  it  is  a  useful  ingredient  in 
the  cough  and  fever  ball. 

Tar, — melted  with  an  equal 
quantity  of  grease,  forms  a  good 
stopping  of  the  farrier.  But  its 
principal  virtue  seems  to  consist 
in  preventing  the  penetration  of 
dirt  and  water  to  the  wounded 


Reckipts. 


191 


part ;  and  is  nsed  with  the  usual  ! 
cough  medicine,  and  in  doses  of 
two  or  three  drachms  for  chronic 
cough. 

Turpentine — is  one  of  the  best 
diuretics,  in  doses  of  half  an 
ounce,  and  made  into  a  ball  with 
linseed  meal  and  powdered  gin- 
ger. The  oil  of  turpentine  is  an 
excellent  antispasmodic.  For  the 
removal  of  colic,  it  stands  unri- 
Talled. 

Zinc — Calamine  Powder. — Five 
parts  of  lard  and  one  of  resin  are 
melted  together,  and  when  these 
begin  to  get  eool,  two  parts  of 
the  calamine,  reduced  to  an  im- 
palpable powder,  are  stirred  in. 
If  the  wound  is  not  healthy,  a 
small  quantity  of  common  tur- 
pentine may  be  added.  This 
salve  justly  deserves  the  name 
which  it  has  gained,  "The  Heal- 
ing Ointment."  The  calamine 
is  sometimes  sprinkled  with  ad- 
vantage on  cracked  heels  and  su- 
perficial sores. 


RECEIPTS. 

Wonderful  Liniment. — 2  oun- 
ces oil  of  spike,  2  do  organum,  2 
do  hemlock,  2  do  wormwood,  4  do 
sweet  oil,  2  do  spts.  ammonia,  2 
do  glim  camphor,  2  do  spts  tur- 
pentine, and  one  quart  of  proof 
spts.  95  per  cent,  mix  well  to- 
gether, and  bottle  tight. 

For  sprains,  bruises,  lameness, 
ifcc,  &c.,  the  above  liniment  can- 
not be  equalled,  and  is  aetualh* 
worth  SlOO  to  any  person  keep- 
ing valuable  horses.  Omit  the 
turpentine  and  you  have  the  best 
liniment  ever  made  for  human 
ails,  such  as  rheumatism,  sprains  ; 


and  whenever  an  outward  ap. 
plication  is  required,  try  it  and 
prove  its  virtues.  It  acts  *like 
magic. 

Rhelm.\tic  Liniment.  — Take 
alcohol^  pt.,  oil  of  origanum  ^  oz., 
cayenne  X  oz.,  gum  myrrh  .^  oz.,  1 
tea  spoonful  lobelia.,  and  let  all 
stand  one  day,  then  bathe  the  part 
affected.    I  paid  $5  for  this  recipe. 

Relief  Liniment. — Take  ^  pt. 
linseed  oil,  add  ^  pt.  spts.  turpen- 
tine, 1  ounce  origanum,  and  one 
ounce  oil  of  vitriol ;  an  excellent 
liniment  for  rheumatism,  sprains, 
bruises,  etc.,  try  and  prove  it. 

Chloroform  Liniment. — For  re- 
lieving suflFering  in  case  of  burns, 
&c.,  mix  chloroform  and  cod- 
liver  oil. 

Soap  Liniment. — Take  1  oz. 
organum,  1  oz.  casteel  soap,  1  pt. 
alcohol,  for  swellings,  &c. 

General  Liniment,  —  Turpen- 
tine one-lialf  pint,  linseed  oil  one 
half  pint,  aquamonia  4  oz.,  tr.  of 
iodine  1 — shake  it  all  well.  This 
is  used  for  different  things  spoken 
of  in  the  different  receipts,  sores 
or  swellings,  sprains,  (fee. 

Black  Linimenu — This  is  good 
to  apply  on  poll  evil — fistula. — 
Take  of  linseed  oil  half  pint,  tr. 
of  iodine  3  oz.,  turpentine  4  oz., 
oil  of  origanum  1  oz. — shake  all 
well  and  apply  it  every  day. — 
Paib  it  in  well  with  xomv  hand — 
wash  the  part  clean  with  soap 
and  water  before  applying  it. — 
This  is  good  on  any  swellinsr. 

Johnston's  Linlment — Take  oil 
of  origanum  one  oz.,  alcohol  one 
half-pint,  oil  of  cedar  one  half- 
ounce,  oil  of  cloves  one  half-ounce, 
turpentine  one  half-ounce,  olive 
oil  S  oz. — shake  all  well.  This 
is  used  for  almost  all  complaints 
of  the  muscles. 


192 


Receipts. 


Opopeldoc. — Take  alcohol  half 
a  gallon,  2  pounds  of  castile  soap, 
4  ot.  gum  camphor,  2  oz.  oil  of 
ambre ;  place  the  alcohol  into  a 
pot  in  hot  water,shave  up  the  soap 
and  keep  it  hot  until  all  dissolves, 
and  you  have  the  old  original 
opodeldoc. 

Green  Ointment. — Take  6  lbs. 
lard,  put  into  ten  gallon  kettle, 
add  2  gallons  of  water,  cut  jimp- 
son  weeds,  and  fill  them  in  and 
cook  them  four  to  six  hours,  slow, 
and  cook  all  the  water  out,  then 
put  into  jars,  add  to  each  pound 
of  ointment  one  ounce  of  turpen- 
tine. This  is  a  good  and  cheap 
stable  ointment — good  for  galls, 
cuts,  scratches,  &c. 

Sloan's  Ointment — Take  mut- 
ton tallow  4  lbs.,  beeswax  one 
half  pound,  rosin  one  half  pound, 
turpentine  3  oz., — melt  over  a 
slow  fire,  and,  when  partly  cold, 
add  the  turpentine,  and  you  have 
the  same  ointment.  Sloan  sells  to 
cure  everything;  try  it  and  prove 
its  value. 

Iodine  Ointment. — Get  1  oz.  of 
the  grease  iodine,  1  pint  of  alcohol, 
let  this  stand  in  the  sun  two  days, 
and  this  is  the  tincture  of  iodine. 
Take  2  oz.  of  tincture  and  one- 
half  pound  of  lard  ;  mix  well,  and 
you  have  the  iodine  ointment. — 
This  is  used  wherever  the  receipts 
refer  to  the  ointment. 

White  Ointment. — For  rheu- 
matism, sprains,  burns,  swellings, 
bruises,  or  any  inflammation  on 
man  or  beast,- chapped  hands  or 
lips,  black  eyes,  or  any  kind  of 
bruise.  Take  fresh  butter  2  lbs., 
tr.  of  iodine  half  oz.,  oil  of  ori- 
ganum 2  oz — mix  this  well  for 
fifteen  minutes  and  it  is  fit  for 
Use — apply  it  every  night ;  rub 
it  iu  well   with  your  band.     If 


for   human  flesh,    lay  on   warm 
flannel. 

Blue  Ointment.  — Take  the 
ointment  of  rosin  4  oz.,  lialf  oz. 
of  finely  ground  verdigris,  2  oz. 
of  turpentine,  mutton  tallow  2 
lbs.,  half  oz.  oil  of  origanum,  lialf 
oz.  tr.  of  iodine — mix  all  well. — 
This  is  one  of  the  best  medicines 
that  can  be  made,  for  scratches, 
hoof-evil,  cuts,  and  is  good  to  ap- 
ply on  fistula,  after  the  rowels 
have  been  taken  out. 

Hoof  Ointment. — Take  rosiii  4 
oz.,  beeswax  6  oz.,  lard  2  lbs. ; 
melt  together,  pour  it  into  a  pot, 
and  3  oz.  of  turpentine,  2  oz,; 
of  finely  powdered  verdigris  1 
lb  tallow — stir  all  until  it  gets 
cool.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
medicines  for  the  hoof  ever  used. 
It  is  good  for  corks  or  bruises  of 
the  feet. 

Hoof  Liquid. — For  tender  feet, 
hoof-bound, <fec.  Linseed  or  neats 
foot  oil,  half  a  pint  of  either,  tur- 
pentine 4  oz.,  oil  of  tar  6  oz.,  ori- 
ganum 3  oz.,  shake  this  well  and 
apply  it  as  the  directions  for  the 
ointment.  This  is  the  best,  if  the 
horse  has  been  lame  long — it  pen- 
etrates the  hoof  sooner  than  tha 
ointment — both  of  them  should 
be  applied  at  night. 

Hoof  Evil,  or  Thrush,  Grease 
Heels. — Bleed,  and  pliysic,  and 
poultice  the  foot  with  boiled  tur- 
nips and  some  fine  ground  char- 
coal— this  must  be  done  at  night, 
for  two  or  three  nights,  then 
wash  the  foot  clean  with  castile 
soap  and  soft  water,  and  apply 
the  blue  ointment  every  day — 
keep  the  horse  on  a  floor  floor, 
and  he  will  be  well  in  twelve 
days. 

HooF-BouND  OR  Tender  Feet 
— 2fever  have  the  feet  spread  at 


Rkckipts. 


193 


the  heels   nor  rasped  above   Uie 
nail  holes,  for  it  will  do  the  foot 
au  injury.     Follow  the  directions 
given  here.     Use  either  the  hoof 
ointment  or  the  hoof  liquid  ;  ap- 
pl}'  it  according  to  directions. — 
Fur  hoof   bound  or  tender  feet, 
apply  it  all  around  the  top  of  the 
hoof  down  one  inch  every  third  i 
day.     If  for  split  hoof,  apply  it  ; 
ever^^    day.     First,  liave   a    stitf  [ 
shoe  on  the  foot,  and  cleanse  the  [ 
cut  or  crack.     Never  cut  or  burn 
for  it. 

Hoof  Ail. — Apply  blue  vitriol 
and  put  on  a  tarred  rag  to  keep 
out  the  dirt. 

No.  2.  Wash  well  with  warm 
soap  suds — wipe  dry  with  a  cloth, 
then  take  two  spoonfuls  of  com- 
mon table  salt,  two  spoonfuls  of 
copperas,  pulverize,  four  spoon- 
fuls of  soft  soap,  mix  well;  spread 
it  upon  a  thick  cloth,  apply  to  the 
foot,  then  confine  it  with  a  ban- 
dage. Let  it  remain  twelve  hours, 
then  wash  as  before. 

IIooF-BouND. — Pare  the  heel 
of  the  hoof  till  it  is  as  flat  and 
natural  as  a  colt's;  then  take 
equal  parts  pitch  pine  and  butter 
Binimered  together  and  anuoint 
the  heel. 

Big  or  Milk  Leg. — Apply  the 
liquid  blisterer  every  three  hours 
until  it  blisters  ;  then  in  six  hours 
grease  with  soft  oil  of  any  kind  ; 
then  in  eight  days  wash  the  part 
clean  and  apply  it  again.  Repeat 
it  three  or  four  times,  then  use 
the  iodine  ointment.  If  this  does 
not  remove  it  all,  apply  the  spav- 
in medicine.  This  will  remove 
it  all. 

Spr.\in  in  the  Stifle. — Symp- 
toms— the  horse  holds  up  his  foot, 
moans  wlien  moved,  swells  in  the 
stifle.     This   is   what    is  called 


stifling.  There  is  no  such  thing 
as  this  joint  getting  out  of  place. 

Cure — Bleed  two  gallons,  fer- 
ment the  stifle  with  hot  water, 
rub  it  dry,  then  bathe  it  well  with 
the  general  liniment  every  morn- 
ing and  night;  give  him  a  mash 
and  lie  will  be  well.  Never  al- 
low any  stifl-eshoe  or  cord  on  the 
foot  or  leg. 

How  TO  CURE  Corns. — Take  off" 
the  shoe,  cut  out  the  corns  and 
drop  in  a  few  drops  of  muriatic 
acid,  then  make  the  shoes  so  as 
they  will  not  bear  on  the  part  af- 
fected. Apply  the  hoof  liquid 
to  the  hoof  to  remove  the  fever. 
This  is  a  sure  treatment.  I  nev- 
er knew  it  to  fail. 

Corns. — Take  the  shoe  off" 
and  give  the  horse  a  free  run  at 
grass  for  a  few  weeks.  This  will 
frequently  cure. 

Founder  in  the  First  Stages. — 
Bleed  from  the  neck  vein  2  or  3 
gallons,  or  until  befalls,  then  give 
the  following  :  Half  oz.  of  aloes, 
4  drachms  gamboge,  half  oz.  of 
oil  of  sassafras,  make  this  into  a 
pill,  give  it,  and  give  him  all  the 
sassafras  tea  he  will  drink :  turn 
up  his  feet  and  fill  them  full  of 
boiling  hot  lard,  bathe  his  legs  in 
hot  water,  and  rub  them  well. — 
This  will  never  fail  to  cure  in  48 
hours. 

Cure  for  Founder. — Take  2 
oz.  salei-atus,  2  oz.  alum,  dissolved 
in  a  pail  of  water,  keep  the  horse 
without  drink  until  he  will  drink 
it.  Let  one  day  pass,  and  then 
give  2  ounces  of  sulphur,  1  oz. 
copperass,  in  molasses  and  milk, 
repeat  the  dose  twice,n  and  fill  th 
hough  with  fresh  cow-manure  for 
several  days. 

No  2.  Give  the  horse  one 
spoonful  pulverized  alum,    hold 


194 


Receipts. 


up  his  head  until  he  swallows  it. 

No.  3.  Mix  one  pint  of  sun- 
flower seed  in  his  food. 

Spavin  and  Ring-Bone  Medi- 
cine.— Take  of  cantharides  2  oz., 
mercurial  ointment  4  oz.,  ti\  of 
iodine  3  oz.,  turpentine  4  oz.,  cor- 
rosive sublimate  3  drachms — mix 
all  well  with  2  pounds  of  lard — 
color  it  if  you  like.  Follow  the 
directions  here  given. 

If  for  ring-bone  or  bone-spavin, 
cut  off  the  hair  from  the  part  af- 
fected, and  merely  grease  the 
lump  with  the  ointment.  Rub 
it  in  well  with  the  naked  hand. 
In  two  days,  grease  the  part  with 
lard,  and  in  four  days  wash  it  off 
with  soap  and  water,  and  apj^ly 
the  ointment  again.  So  repeat 
it  every  four  days.  If  for  wind- 
gals,  or  bog-spavin,  or  curb,  ap- 
ply the  ointment  every  six  days, 
This  recipe  has  been  sold  for 
$300. 

Spavin. — Camphor  dissolved  in 
spts.  of  turpentine,  applied  until 
the  hair  starts. 

No.  2.  Oil  vitriol,  origanum, 
cedar  oil,  Spanish  flies,  equal 
parts  ;  8  oz.  turpentine. 

To  Cure  Ring-Bone  when  first 
coming. — Dissolve  one  quarter- 
pound  of  salt-petre  in  one  quart 
of  soft  water,  and  wash  with  it 
twice  a  day.  This  will  stop  the 
growth  and  lameness,  and  not 
remove  the  hair. 

R[NG-BoNE. — Tcike  of  spts.  of 
turpentine,  oil  of  spike,  of  each 
1  ounce;  bottle  and  mix  well; 
then  add  1  ounce  of  oil  vitriol, 
bath  the  diseased  part  well  for 
tlxree  days,  and  drive  it  in  by  the 
application  of  a  hot  iron  ;  then 
suspend  it  for  three  days,  to  pre- 
vent the  part  becoming  too  sore  ; 
then  ai)ply  tie  .'emedy  again. 
The  Sore  should  be  created  with 
lard,  or  ointment ;  this  will  cure 


the  disease  if  not  of  too  long 
standing. 

Poix  Evil.  —  Cure  before  it 
breaks;  run  a  rowel  or  seton 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  swel- 
ling to  the  top  through  the  cen- 
tre of  the  enlargement,  then  make 
the  following  lotion.  Take  of 
salamoniac  2  oz.,  and  turpentine 
spirits  half  pint,  4  oz.  linseed  oil, 
and  4  oz.  of  spirits  of  tar;  shake 
all  well,  and  apply  it  all  over  the 
swelling  every  other  day;  let 
the  seton  stay  in  until  all  the 
swelling  is  gone  down — move  it 
every  day,  and  Avhen  all  is  gone 
draw  it  out.  Bleed  when  you 
first  open  it;  keep  the  part  clean. 

Poll  Evil  after  it  breaks. — If 
j'ou  find  by  probing  it  that  the 
pipes  rim  down  towards  the  sur- 
face, run  down  a  seton  through 
the  bottom  of  the  pipe,  and  anoint 
it  with  the  following  ointment. 
Take  of  mercurial  ointment  4  oz., 
and  of  cantharides  half  an  ounce ; 
anoint  the  seton  every  day  until 
it  runs  a  bloody  matter,  then 
draw  it  out,  if  the  pipes  run  down 
to  the  centre  of  the  shoulders; 
then  run  do«vm  a  piece  of  the  ni- 
tre of  silver  to  the  bottom,  and 
use  the  liquid  in  the  next  follow- 
ing receipt;  apply  it  on  the 
sore  every  da}^;  keep  the  part 
clean  Avith  soap  and  water. 

Liquid  for  Poll  Evil. — Take 
olive  oil  6  ounces,  turpentine  half 
oz.,  oil  of  origanum  half  oz., 
American  or  seneka  oil  3  oz. — 
Mix  well  and  apply  it  to  the  part 
affected,  after  the  nitre  of  silver 
has  been  used.  Apply  this  every 
few  days,  until  it  heals  up.  The 
cleaner  you  keep  the  part  the 
better. 

Poll  Evil  and  Fistula. — Clean 
the  sore  throughout  with  soap- 
suds; sound  the  pipe  or  pipes' 
find  their  direction  and   depth 


RnroEiPTs 


195 


then  take  stiff  paper,  roll  it  in  a 
horn  sha])e  about  the  size  of  a 
goose  qiiil ;  till  with  arsenic  or 
potash ;  double  over  the  ends ; 
insert  the  pipe  and  push  or  drive 
it  to  the  bottom,  Serve  all  the 
pipes  in  the  same  manner,  it 
will  break  loose  in  3  to  6  weeks. 
Cleanse  it  one  da}-  with  soap 
suds,  and  next  with  a  wash  com- 
posed of  one  teaspoonful  of  white 
vitriol,  and  1  do.  burnt  copperas, 
one  do.  burnt  alum,  one  of  gun- 
powder, in  one  pint  of  rain  wa- 
ter. Oil  the  sore  well  after 
washing. 

Fistula. — Take  one  pint  of  al- 
cohol, ^  pt.  turpentine,  1  oz.  in- 
digo, apply  once  a  day. 

To  Drive  off  Poll  Evil  before 
IT  BREAKS. — Take  4  oz.  oil  of 
spike,  1  of  British  oil,  one-eighth 
of  white  vitriol,  1  of  extract  of 
mullen  hearts ;  apply  twice  a 
day.  Shake  well  before  you  ap- 
ply. Give  the  cleansing-powder 
to  cleanse  the  blood. 

Glanders. — Bleed  copiously, 
put  a  rowel  or  seton  of  polk  root 
between  the  jaw  and  breast,  in- 
sert tar  up  the  nostrils  twice  a 
day  thoroughly. 

No.  2.— Take  ^  lb.  fine'  cut  to- 
bacco, add  2  qt.  warm  water,  let 
soak  a  few  minutes,  wash  his 
throat,  ears,  neck,  to  his  legs,  re- 
peat once  in  three  hours.  Sdme 
recommend  it  given  internally. 

Water  Farcy. — This  is  a  swel- 
ling along  under  the  chest,  and 
forward  to  the  breast.  Bleed, 
rowel  in  the  breast  and  all  along 
the  swelling,  six  inches  apart,  ap- 
ply the  general  liniment  to  the 
swelling,  move  the  rowels  every 
day ;  let  them  stay  in  until  the 
swelling  goes  down.  Give  soft 
food — mashes,  with  the  cleansing- 
powder  in  it — this  is  dropsy. 


Too  Free  Dlsctlakge  of  Urine. 
Give  one  half  oz.  of  the  tr.  of  can- 
tharides  every  morning  for  ton 
or  twelve  da^-s,  and  if  not  entire- 
ly well,  repeat  it  again,  and  bleed 
one  gallon  from  the  neck — give 
clean  food.  The  cause  is  rotten 
or  musty  grain,  or  too  free  use  of 
turpentine.  Keiip  him  open  with 
mashes  and  green  food. 

Disease  of  the  Liver,  or  Yel- 
low Water.  •  Give  the  following 
ball  every  morning  until  it  op- 
erates upon  the  bowels.  Take 
7  drachms  of  aloes,  and  1  drachm 
of  calomel,  4  drachms  of  ginger, 
and  molasses  enough  to  make  it 
into  a  ball,  wrap  it  in  paper  and 
give  it;  give  scalded  bran  and 
oats,  grass  if  it  can  be  got;  when 
his  bowels  have  moved,  stop  the 
physic,  and  give  1  oz.  spirits  of 
camphor  in  a  half  pint  of  water 
ever}'  morning  for  twelve  daj's ; 
rowel  in  the  breast,  and  give  a 
few  doses  of  cleansing  powder. — 
Turn  him  out. 

Fresh  Wounds. — First,  stop  the 
wound  by  tying  the  arteries,  or 
by  applying  the  following  wash  : 
4  gr.  of  nitre  of  silver,  1  oz,  of 
soft  water,  wet  the  wound  with 
this  and  then  draw  the  edges  to- 
gether by  stitches  one  inch  apart, 
then  wash  clean,  and  if  any  swel- 
ling in  twenty-four  hours,  bleed, 
and  apply  the  blue  ointment,  or 
any  of  the  liniments  sj)okeu  of. 
Keep  the  bowels  open. 

Bruises. — Take  Arnica  blos- 
soms steeped  in  whiskey. 

Cure  for  Biles  on  Horses. — 
Permit  the  patient  to  have  a  run 
for  5  or  U  weeks  in  a  good  pas- 
ture, and  give  a  little  physic  in 
shorts  or  meal. 

Cure  for  Cramp. — Give  a  dose 
of  cathartic  medicines  and  hot 
fomentations  to  the  limbs,  and  a 
little  rest. 


1S6 


Receipts. 


Balls  for  "Worms. — Barnadoes 
Aloes  6  dra.,  powdered  ginger  1^ 
oz.,  oil  of  wormwood  20  drops, 
powdered  natron,  2  dra.  ;  molas- 
ses to  form  a  ball. 

Ball  for  Hide  Bound. — Bar- 
nadoes Aloes,  1  oz,  Castile  soap, 
9  dra.,  ginger  6  dra. 

Physic-Ball. — One  half  ounce 
of  aloes,  3  drachms  of  gamboge, 
20  drops  of  the  oil  of  juniper ; 
make  it  into  a  pill  with  a  few 
drops  of  molasses  ;  wrap  it  up  in 
thin  paper  and  grease  it;  draw 
out  the  tongue  with  the  left  hand; 
place  the  gag  in  the  mouth,  and 
run  the  pill  back  with  the  right 
hand  until  it  drops  off,  let  the 
head  down  and  give  a  sup  of 
of  water.  First,  prepare  the  horse 
by  giving  one  or  two  mashes. 

Liquid  Blisterer. — ^Take  alco- 
hol 1  pint,  turpentine  one  half- 
pint,  aquamonia  4  oz.,  oil  of  ori- 
ganum 1  oz.;  apply  this  as  spoken 
of  every  three  hours  until  it  blis- 
ters. Do  not  repeat  oftener  than 
once  in  eight  days,  or  seven  at 
least,  or  it  will  kill  the  hair. 

Healing  Ointment. — -Take  five 
parts  of  lard,  one  of  rosin,  melt 
together ;  when  they  begin  to 
get  cool  add  two  parts  of  calo- 
mine  powder.  If  the  wound  is 
unhealthy  add  a  little  turpen- 
tine. 

Galls  on  Horses. — Bath  the 
parts  affected  with  spirits  satura- 
ted with  alum. 

Grubs  in  Horses. — Take  a  tea 
spoonful  of  red  precipitate,  form 
into  a  ball,  repeat,  if  necessary, 
in  30  minutes. 

Worms.  —  Give  one  quart  of 
strong  tea  made  of  worm- wood  at 
night,  the  next  day  giveV  drachms 
of  aloes,  2  drachms  of  calomel, 
make  it  into  a  ball  and  give  it; 
give  no  cold  water  for  48  hours ; 


make  it  milk-warm;  give  him  2 
or  3  bran  mashes,  and  some  of 
the  cleansing-powder;  if  he  shows 
any  more  symptoms,  repeat  the 
dose  in  three  Aveeks.  This  will 
never  fail. 

"Warts. — Cut  them  out  by  the 
roots — take  the  tenackulum  or 
hook,  run  it  through  the  warts, 
and  draw  and  cut  round  it,  and 
draw  it  out ;  if  it  should  bleed 
too  much,  take  5  grains  of  nitre  of 
silver,  and  1  oz.  of  water ;  wet  a 
sponge,  and  merely  touch  the  part 
with  this  wash,  and  it  will  stop 
them  ;  treat  it  as  any  fresh  wound 
— still,  every  time  you  wash  it, 
scratch  the  scab  off,  so  the  scar 
will  be  small.  This  is  the  only 
sure  way  to  treat  them. 

Groggy  Knees. — This  can  be 
cured  in  the  first  stages,  but  if 
of  long  standing,  there  is  no  cure. 
Have  shoes  made  thick  at  the  toe 
and  thin  at  the  heels  ;  take  lin- 
seed oil,  half  pint,  alcohol  4  oz.,  1 
oz.  camphor  spirits,  2  oz,  lauda- 
num— shake  and  apply  to  back 
part  of  legs,  rub  it  in  well  every 
4  days ;  still  increase  the  thick- 
ness of  the  shoes  at  the  toe. 

Sore  Mouth  or  Tongce. — Take 
of  borax  3  drachms,and  2  drachms 
of  sugar  of  lead,  half  oz.  of  alum, 
one  pint  of  sage  tea — shake  all 
well  together,  and  wash  the 
moifth  out  every  morning.  Give 
uo  hay  for  twelve  days. 

Cleansing  Powder — This  is  to 
be  used  when  the  blood  is  out  of 
order — good  to  restore  lost  appe- 
tite— yellow  water ;  and  wherev- 
er it  is  to  be  used,  it  is  spoken  of. 
Take  1  pound  of  good  ginger,  4 
oz.  powdered  gentian,  1  oz.  nitre, 
half  oz.  crude  antimony — mix  all 
well.  Give  one  large  spoonful 
every  day,  in  wet  food.  This  is 
perfectly  safe. 


Receipts. 


197 


Sick  Stomach. — Bleed  half  a 
jrallon,  then  if  he  will  eat  a  mash 
give  him  one  ;  give  no  hay  ;  then 
give  him  half  oz.  rhubarb  every 
night  until  it  moves  his  bowels; 
then  take  of  gentian  root  4  oz., 
feni-greak  2  oz.,  nitre  one-half 
!>z. — mix  and  give  a  large  spoon- 
ful every  day ;  do  not  give  him 
too  much  to  eat  when  his  appe- 
tite returns. 

Stiff  Suoulders  ok  Sweeney. — 
Kowel  from  the  top  of  the  shoul- 
der blade  down  as  far  as  there 
is  no  pealing.  First,  cut  through 
the  skin,  and  then  two  thin  fi- 
bres or  strippings  ;  use  the  blunt 
needle,  move  it  back  and  forward 
five  or  six  inches  ;  draw  in  a  tape 
or  seton,  and  the  next  morning 
■wet  it  with  the  tincture  of  can- 
tharides ;  do  this  every  other 
day,  move  them  every  da}- — wash 
the  part  clean — let  the  tape  stay 
in  until  the  matter  changes  to 
blood  :  this  is  for  both  diseases. 
Let  him  run  out,  if  possible.  He 
will  be  well  in  six  or  eight  weeks. 
If  for  Sweeney,  you  may  work 
him  all  the  time. 

Lung  Fever. — Bleed  four  gal- 
lons from  the  neck  vein,  and  take 
one  oz.  of  aquanite,  add  to  it  half 
gallon  of  cold  water;  drench  him 
with  one  gill  of  it  every  3  hours, 
blister  him  over  the  lungs,  then 
give  him  water  to  drink  that  hay 
lias  been  boiled  in,  and  to  each 
gallon  of  it  one  oz.  of  gum  arabic, 
and  half  an  ounce  of  spirits  of  ni- 
tre— give  this  every  four  hours, 
rub  well,  foment  and  rub  the  legs 
with  alcohol  and  camphor,  until 
they  get  warm — do  not  move  him. 
Keep  him  in  open  stall,  if  hot 
weather. 

Eye  Lotion. — Take  of  linseed 
oil  one  pint,  add  to  it  two  oz.  of 
Bpirits  of  ether,  gum  camphor 
"half  an  oz.     Let  it  stand  in  some 


warm  place  until  the  oil  cuts  the 
gum,  and  it  is  fit  for  use.  Ap- 
ply it  to  the  eye  e%ery  morning 
with  a  soft  feather;  get  it  into 
the  eyes  as  well  as  possible. 

Eye-Wasii. — Take  of  sugar  of 
lead  2  drachms,  white  Vitriol  1 
drachm,  add  to  this  1  quart  of 
soft  water  ;  let  it  stand  for  6  or 
9  hours,  and  it  is  fit  for  use. — 
Wash  the  eyes  out  well  every 
morning,  after  first  washing  the 
eyes  well  with  cold  water  ;  fol- 
low this  up  for  3  or  four  weeks, 
and  then  if  the  eyes  are  not  much 
better,  bleed  and  give  a  mild 
physic.  The  horse  should  be 
kept  on  low  diet,  and  not  over 
heated  or  worked  too  hard; 
scalded  shorts  and  oats  are  good. 

Mange  and  Surfeit. — Bleed 
and  physic,  then  take  sulphur 
one-half  pound,  2  pounds  lard ; 
mix  well,  grease  the  part  affected 
every  three  or  four  days,  stand 
the  horse  in  the  sun  until  all  dries 
in,  give  him  a  few  doses  of  the 
cleansing-powder. 

Contraction  of  the  Neck, — If 
it  is  taken  in  the  first  stages, 
bleed  from  the  neck  two  gallons, 
then  ferment  or  bathe  the  part 
well  with  hot  water,  rub  it  dry 
and  take  the  general  liniment 
and  apply  it  every  day,  two  or 
three  times  ;  this  w^ill  cure,  if  it 
is  of  long  standing.  Then  blister 
all  along  the  part  affected,  with 
the  liquid  blister.  Do  this  every 
three  weeks  until  he  is  well,  and 
rub  with  the  white  ointment. 

Drops  to  make  old  Houses 
Young. — Take  the  tr.  of  asafoeti- 
da  1  oz.,  tr,  of  cantharides  1  oz., 
oil  of  cloves  1  oz.,  oil  of  cinnamon 
one  oz.,  antimony  2  oz.,  fenegreak 
one  oz.,  fourth  proof  brandy  half 
gallon;  let  it  stand  ten  or  twelve 
days,  and  give  ten  drops  in  a  pail 
of  water — or  one  gallon. 


MEDICINES  FOR  THE  HORSE-THEIR  ACTION  AND  DOSES, 


Muriatic  Ac\^, 

Nitric  Acid, 

Sulpliuric  Acid. 

Gentian, 

Peruvian  Bark, 

Sulphate  of  Iron, 

Myrrh, 

Sulphate  of  Zinc, 

Oxide  of  Zinc, 

Strychnine, 

Iodide  of  Iron, 

Alum, 

Nut  galls, 

Sugar  of  Lead, 

Iodine, 

Corrosive  Sublimate, 

Hy  driodate  of  Potash, 

Calomel, 

Epsom  Salts, 

Glauber  Salts, 

Aloes, 

Calomel, 

Croton  Oil, 

Nitrate  of  Potash, 

Carbonate  of  Potash, 

Tincture  Digitalis, 

Tincture  Colchicum, 

Cream  of  Tartar, 

Spirits  of  Nitre, 

Resin, 

Spirits  of  Turpentine, 

Emetic  Tartar, 

Opium, 

Laudanum, 

Extract  Hyoscyamus, 

Caraway  Seeds, 

Sulphur, 

Camphor, 

Tine.  Veratrum  Viride, 

Belladona. 


Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic  Astringent, 

Tonic,  t 

Tonic  for  Nerves, 

Alterative  and  Tonic, 

Astringent, 

Astringent, 

Astringent, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Diuretic, 

Diuretic  and  Sedative, 

Diuretic  and  Narcotic, 

Diuretic  and  Laxative, 

Diuretic, 

D  uretic, 

Diuretic, 

Diuretic, 

Nauseant  and  Diaphoretic, 

Narcotic, 

Narcotic, 

Narcotic, 

Carminitiye, 

Laxative  and  Alterative. 

Narcotic, 

Sedative, 

Sedative  and  Narcotic. 


1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 

1  to  2  drachms, 

2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 

1  to  3  grains, 
i  to  1  drachm, 

2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
^  to  1  drachm, 
5  to  10  grains, 
4  to  6  grains, 

^  drachm, 
10  to  20  grains, 
i  lb.  to  1  lb. 
k  lb.  to  1  lb. 

1  to  2  drachms, 
^  to  2  drachms, 
20  to  30  drops, 

2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  ounces, 

1  to  2  ounces, 
^  to  one  ounce, 
I  to  one  ounce, 
i  to  one  drachm, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
i  to  2  ounces, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
^  to  1  ounce, 
1  to  2  ounces, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
20  to  30  drops, 
1  to  2  drachms. 


Used  externally,  muriatic  acid,  nitric  acid,  sulphuric  acid,  and 
corrosive  sublimate  are  caustic ;  iodine  is  alterative ;  and  sugar  of 
lead  is  sedative. 


«^^|3«=<M)«<)°«<M>-«^W>^>'=<MMM)=o><>o=<>.>>;>3>(MM>HM>°»^ 


An^  of  the  foUoiomg  books  loitl  be  se?it  to  ani/part  of  the  \ 
U.  S.  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  the  Price,  by  E.  NASH. 

Farmer's  Practical  Horse  Farriery, 


$    50 
The  American  Fanner's  Encyclopedia,  4  00 


1  25 

1  00 

1  00 

1  00 

1  25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

1  00 

25 

CO 


1  25 

2  00 
1  25 

50 

4  00 


Youatt  on  the  Horse, 
■■  Dadd's  Modern  Horse  Doctor, 
.  Dadd's  Am.  Cattle  Doctor, 
Stevens'  Stable  Book, 
=  Buist's  Family  Kitchen  Gardener, 
;  Dana's  Prize  fessay  on  Manures, 
Kichardson's  Domestic  Fowls, 
Kicliardson  on  the  Hog, 
Kichardson  on  the  Pests  of  the  Farm, 
Bichardson  on  the  Hive  A;  Honey  Bee, 
Milburn  and  Stevens  on  the  Cow  and 

Dairy  Husbandry, 
Brcek's  Book  of  Flowers, 
Chinese  Sugar  Cane  and  Sugar  Making, 
Pardee  on  the  Strawberry, 
Guenon's  Treatise  on  Milch  Cows, 
Randall's  Sheep  Husbandry, 
Youatt,  Eandall,  and  Skinners's  Shep- 
herd's Own  Book, 
Youatt,  Martin,  and  Stevens  on  Cattle, 
Munn's  Practical  Land  Drainer, 
Stephens'  Book  of  the  Farm,  complete, 

450  illustrations, 
Thaer,  Shaw  &  Johnson's  Principles  of 

Agriculture,  2  00 

Quinby's  Mysteries  of  Bee-keeping,        1  00 
Cottage  and  Farm  Bee-keeper.  50 

Every  Lady  her  own  Flower  Gardener,     25 
History  of  Morgan  Horses,  1  00 

:  Rabbit  Fancier,  25 

.  Downing's  Fruit  and  Fruit  Trees— Re- 
vised edition, 
The  Fruit  Garden— Berry, 
Neil's  Fruit,  F]ower,and  Vegetable  Gar 

dener  s  Companion, 
Browne's  American  Poultry  Yard, 
:  Browne's  Field  Book  of  Manures,  1,25 

Hooper's  Dog  and  Gun,  50 

Bouhsingault's  Rural  Economy,  1  25 

Liebig's  Familiar  Letters  to  Farmers,        50 
Cobbett's  American  Gardener,  50 

Home  Memories ;  or  Social  Half  Hours 

with  the  Household,  1  50 

:  Paganism,  Popery  and  Christianity,  or 

the  Blessings  of  an  Open  Bible,  1  25 
■  Our  Parish  ■  or  Pen  Paintings  of  Vil- 
lage Life,  1  25 
;  The  Battle-Fields  of  the  Revolution,  1  12^ 
Perils  and  Pleasures  of  a  Hunter's  Life,  1  12^ 
The  Spirit  Land,  1  00 
Sweet  Home,  1,00 
The  Life  and  Times  of  Alexandor  Ham- 
ilton, by  S.  M.  Smucker  1  00 
•  The  Angel  Visitor ;  or  The  Voices  of 

the  Heart,  by  Frances  E.  Percival  1  00 
The  Morning  Star,  by  Rev.  Wm.  M. 

Thayer,  1  00 

:  The  Deserted  Family;  or  Wanderings 

of  an  Outcast,  by  Paul  Creyton,      75 
Sibyl;  orouft  ofthe  Shadow  into   the 

Sun,  by  Miss  Martha  Russell,       1  00 

Anna  Clayton  ;  or  the  Mother's  Trial,    1  00 

;  Sketches  of  Life  and  Character,  2  00 

Lights  and  Shadows  of  Real  Life.  2  00 


The  Good  Time  Coming,  1  00 

Leaves  from  the  Book  of  Human  Life,  1  00 
What  Can  Woman  Do?  i  OO  '' 

Golden  Grains   from    Life's    Harvest 

Field,  75 . 

Ten  Nights  in  a  Bar-Room,  and  what 

1  Saw  There.  75  ■ 

The  Fireside  Angel,  25 

Withered  Heart,  1  00 

Three  Eras  in  a  Woman's  Life,  1  00 

Tales  of  Married  Life,  1  00 

The  Martyr  Wife,  i  00 

Tales  of  Real  Life,  i  00 

Living  and  Loving;  by  V.  F.  Townsend,!  00  ■ 
The  New  Clerk's  Assistant,  2  60  . 

The  New  Constable's  Guide,  1  00 

The  American  Orator'R  Own  Book,        1  00  ' 


3S  Border  Wars  of  the  West, 


1  25 
1  25 

1  00 


Indian  Captivities, 
Thrilling  Adventures,  1  25 

S^viss  Family  Robinson  and  Conclusion,  1  00  ■ 
Parke  Madison,  75 . 

Life  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles,  1  00 

John  Bunyan's  Pilgrims'  Progress,         1  00 
Women  of  the  Bible,  1  00  ■■ 

Twelve  Years  a  Slave.  1  oo 

Mv  Bondage  and  My  Freedom,  1  25 

W"ild  Scenes  of  a  Hunter's  Life,  1  25  ■■ 

Frontier  Life,  1  25 

Life  of  Daniel  Boone,  1  25 

Lives  of  the  Three  Mrs.  Judsons,  1  25  ' 

Life  of  Joan  of  Arc,  the  Maid  of  Or- 
leans, 75 . 
Noble  Deeds  of  American  Women,        1  25 
Household  Scenes  for  the  Home  Circle,  1  00  ■ 
'Lena  Rivers,                                            1  00: 
The              ead  on  the  Hillside,         1  00 


1  OO^Life  of  George  Washington, 
Robbins'  Produce  Reckoner, 
Eollo  Books — 4  Vols.,  each 
Rollo"s  Story  Books— 13  Vols.,  each 
The  Silver  Lake  Stories— 6  Vols.,  each 
Etiquette  for  Ladies — do  Gentlemen,  " 
Books  of  Games  and  Sports, 
Picture  Book  of  Fables, 
lAdventures  of  Gerard,  the  Lion  Killer, 
Female  Life  Among  the  Mormons, 
Ida  May, 
Shady  Side, 
Sunny  Side, 
Peep  at  No.  5, 

The  Last  Leaf  from  Sunny  Side, 
City  Side,  or  Views  from  a  Parsonage, 
Iron-Thorpe,  the  Pioneer  Preacher, 
Father  Brighthopes, 
Hearts  and  Faces, 
TcU-Tale,  or  Home  Secrets, 
The  Heroines  of  History, 
History  of  Cuba, 
The  Complete  Letter  Writer, 
Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs, 
The  Rille,  Axe  and  Saddle-Bags, 
Pictures  of  Slavery— Long, 
Eustachius — A  Narrative  of  Olden 

Time, 
Forrester's  Pictorial  Miscellanv, 


<>^=<>==<>==<MM)»=<)»=<)°=<>«<MM)^o=<^^)o=<>==<)o^>ox>=-x:o.-<>=^^^/='^/«=>,^»^i^5f 


YOUATT  ON  THE  HORSE, 


HIS  STRUCTURE  AND  DISEASES; 

WITH  THEIR   REMEDIES.     ALSO, 

PRACnCAL  EULES  TO  BUTEES,  BREEDERS,  BREAEURS,  SMITHS,  ETC. 

WITH  NOTES  BY  SPOONEB,  AXD  AH^  ACCOUNT  OP  BBSEDS  IN 
THE  UNITED  STATES,  BY  H.  S.  EANDALL. 

One  Volume,  483  pp.  12mo.,  60  Illustrations.    Price  1  25. 


OPINIONS  OF  REVIEWERS. 

Anv  one  at  all  conversant  with  that  noble  animal,  the  horse,  Is  well  aware  of  the  met- 
4s  of  Yonatt'8  admirable  work  on  this  subject  Mr.  Spooner,  a  veterinary  surgeon  of 
high  standing,  wrote  a  valuable  supplement  for  the  late  English  edition,  bringing  the 
science  down  to  1849.  This,  Mr.  Randall,  with  excellent  judgment  has  incorporated 
Into  the  body  of  the  volume  before  us,  in  foot  notes,  under  the  different  appropriate 
heads  of  the  work.  We  think  this  quite  an  improvement  on  the  English  edition.  Mr. 
Randall's  part  of  the  work  is  well  done;  and  as  the  publishers  have  brought  it  out  in 
handsome  style,  we  trust  the  book  will  have  a  large  sale. — AiTiericaai  AgnauUnirist. 

The  design  has  been  to  produce  an  edition  of  Yonatt  fully  adapted  to  popular  use.  In 
this,  so  far  as  can  be  judged,  the  publishers  have  succeeded.  The  style  of  the  book,  so 
far  as  proper  typography  and  engravings  are  concerned,  is  greatly  superior  to  that  offer 
mer  editions.  Those  who  keep  horses  will  do  well  to  procure  Youatt;  and  they  will 
»»ardly  do  better  than  with  this  edition.— Prairie  Fa/rmer. 

MILLER,  ORTON  &  CO.,  Publishers, 

25  Park  Row,  New  York,  and  107  Genesee-st.,  Auburn. 


RETURN  TO  the  circulation  desk  of  any 
University  of  California  Library 
or  to  the 

NORTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
BIdg.  400,  Richnnond  Field  Station 
University  of  California 
Richmond,  CA  94804-4698 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 
2-nnonth  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling 

(415)642-6233 
1-year  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing  books 

to  NRLF 
Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4  days 

prior  to  due  date 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 

SEPUlQfiQ 


f 


k 


